Yulo, Dylan Francesca G.

02/20/2020
BS Medical Biology

What is Like to be a Filipino Youth in Social Media

Social media became more dominant for today’s youth if you compare it a decade ago,
because of the advancement of technology at the moment and will still continue to grow in
the future. Besides the improving and changes of technology, the youth also has some
improvements and changes as time goes by. We notice the “Digital Generation Gap” between
the youth today and older generations because we live in different time period and lifestyle
that involves technology. That’s why adults like the age of parents cannot distinguish and
even are confused with the technology they see today compared what they are used to when
they are young an example of that is Social Media. With that gap, there is misunderstanding
between the younger and older generation when it technology.

As a Filipino youth in today’s generation, I can see what has social media has caused in
terms of cultures, traditions, lifestyles, and manners. I noticed that we are more diverse in our
beliefs whether is about religion, politics and life in general. The youth today use social
media as a platform to express their freedom of speech which is different back then. The
youth back then are engaging through different activities like attending organizations and
rallies to express their freedom of speech and also risking their lives to fight what they think
is right, but now expressing one’s freedom of speech is one click away from their phones,
laptops, tablets and etc. With more people engaging in social media especially the youth,
according to the website and blog “Universitas” they interviewed some people today about
their thoughts on who are the Filipino youth today, according to Ms. Coleen Beatrice M.
Tabon that the Filipino youth today are more aware on what is going on in country, they are
more knowledgeable about problems in the present day. The term “woke” is used to express
how the youth today are brave to express their opinions whether is about fighting for their
rights, political beliefs, education and many more, social media became their platform
whether they want to express their opinions and also see different perspectives and opinions
about their beliefs. Another influence of social media of the youth today when it comes to
culture here in the Philippines. Philippines is known to be a Catholic country, which means
we have a certain belief and how we must live our lives according to that. The country is
conservative in different aspects for example modesty when in comes to women, we grew up
in believing that most girls should not wear relieving clothes because it is not appropriate to
others especially for men. But now many women are not afraid in engaging of wearing
revealing clothes because it gives them the freedom to express. Another example when it
comes to the LGBT, back then they treat that being gay is mortal sin and it can cause shame
to society especially involving a religious society. Today we see many diversity when it
comes to gender and with that many people are brave to express themselves and not afraid to
take criticisms. As we can see that social media has a positive effect with the examples and
situations mentioned but social media has also a negative effect to the youth. I noticed that
some of the Filipino youth became more dumber because they prioritize social media more
than anything else, some Filipino youth has the obsession of becoming famous because on
how social media generates. Many people become famous because of social media and even
can make money because of it. When you asked a young person on what they to become
when growing up, we expected them to answer “Doctor”, “Chef’,”Lawyer”, and other
practical jobs but we hear them say they want to become a “Youtuber” and a “Social Media
Influencer”. That’s why social media has a great effect especially for the youth.

Rizal’s quote “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” is relevant for the youth today,
because the youth will be the future and hope for our country. The Filipino youth today are
become more unified in terms terms of beliefs and they are open in different perspectives,
they fight to what they think is right but they also accept different opinions. We become more
aware of our surrounding and afraid to take action. Social media is used a platform to speak
freely, but there are circumstances that they only use social media to “fight” for their beliefs
but not taking action towards an issue. We express not only our thoughts but passion for the
improvement for this country without the youth there will be no future for the country.