Engagement Addiction and the Cheapening of Words on Social Media: Can We Teach Our Children the Value of Words Again?
How Has the Value of Words Changed in Our Lives?
I often find myself reflecting on the state of words today, whether on social media, in the street, or even in dramas. I feel they have become lighter than they used to be, even though they were once a trust and a responsibility. Here I must ask: why have words been taken so lightly? I do not claim to have a definite answer, but I want to open the door to quiet reflection together.
When Engagement Becomes More Important Than Truth
I notice that many of us now measure the value of what we write by the number of likes and comments. I believe this metric can push some people to exaggerate, react impulsively, perhaps hurl accusations, and sometimes use hurtful language or bullying, purely for the sake of reach.
This is where collective awareness and social responsibility come in, and the need to examine ourselves before hitting publish. When words turn into nothing more than a vehicle for reach, they may lose some of their truth and depth.
What Does the Attention Economy Mean in Our Daily Lives?
The attention economy is a concept that I find explains much of what we experience. Platforms compete for our time and emotions, and my attention is the most precious thing I own. I offer a simple idea here: choosing to give my attention to what builds rather than destroys, and not surrendering it to every sensational headline without thought.
Do Words Lose Their Weight Because They Are Fast?
I find that when words are written quickly and without reflection, they can destroy or wound unintentionally, and a passing comment can cause unseen pain. I need to think before I write: will this word add value or cause harm? I believe social media can be a place for kind words, if we choose that calmly.
How Can We Teach Our Children the Value of Words Again?
Since social media is now a reality we live with, we need to teach our children the value of words again. I believe the starting point is at home, through my own example before any advice. We need to talk to our children about how words leave an impact, and how thinking before publishing is a form of self-respect and respect for others.
We must teach them that apologizing for a mistaken word is courage, not weakness. Raising children to understand the value of words takes patience and calm repetition, not orders; it is a way of life.
Simple Steps to Restore the Value of Words
What if I set aside just one hour every day without a phone, sitting with my family, reading, or thinking quietly? We also need to pause for one minute before posting and ask ourselves: am I satisfied with this word? Will it build or destroy? Will it wound a heart or heal it?
I believe this one minute could be the beginning of restoring the value of words in our lives, for words are a responsibility.
Can Community Institutions Join Forces?
I believe that any culture we want to spread in society is difficult to achieve through a single institution or individual effort. I suggest that families, schools, media outlets, and religious and cultural institutions join forces in a single, calm message about the responsibility of words and thinking before publishing.
I believe that agreement among these institutions could make dialogue the path to confronting engagement addiction instead of assigning blame.
The Role of Institutions, Led by Education
The role of institutions begins in schools and universities by instilling the value of words, critical thinking skills, and the conscious use of social media. I believe other institutions can support this role through awareness initiatives and spaces for calm dialogue and acceptance of others.
Rody Nabil
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تابع معنا تحليل قراءة الصحف اليومية مع الكاتب الصحفي Hany Sallam عبر