If you’re not Mark Zuckerberg, keep scrolling… Part II
Youth Clap Back…
lentolo. Courtesy of Getty Images.
In his founder's letter Zuckerberg posits that we all need to work together, and on that point I don’t disagree. Mark, if you’re reading this, let us at LookUp hold the megaphone to the young voices you should hear,
“...the dilemma of [social media brings into question] the last 2,500 years of philosophical thinking - challenges free will…democracy, free markets, and the universal declaration of human rights.” - Spain, Aged 23-25
“...our Stone-Age brains can’t keep up…the perils of technology assume center stage [in discussions on] youth mental health...pushed to alcoholism, posting suicidal content on [social media platforms]” - United States, Aged 18-22
“Research has shown that social media is linked with depression, anxiety, and eating disorders…[our solution] is to empower people to spend less time on social media [because] we have experienced the harm these platforms can cause” - Canada, 23 - 25
lentolo. Courtesy of Getty Images.
“...the urges remain [and] the users revert back to their previous [social media usage] behavior. We notice how easy it is to get sucked into these platforms. This is not by chance, this is engineered: behind the screen there are thousands of developers who have worked for years to make social media as addictive as possible.” - Denmark, Aged 23 - 25
“[with our social media app] we allow users to control privacy and promise to never sell data or show ads. We focus on stress relief and solace. Rather than endless consumption, [we] focus on mindful curation.” - United States, Aged 18 - 22
“We want to build a movement and resource hub to address the negative consequences of online surveillance.” - Ireland, Aged 23 - 25
“Social media has taken over our perception of reality.” - Youth, United States, Aged 18 - 22
“The aim is [that] no one is left behind.” - Philippines, Aged 18 - 22
lentolo. Courtesy of Getty Images.
“[With our podcast] we take deep dives into the stories behind the solutions to the biggest problems facing humanity - like …the Distraction Crisis…in particular problems brought on by the complex cocktail of our Stone Age emotions, backwards institutions and exponentially powerful technology…[we will] really focus on the positive solutions and try to pave a path forward.” - Australia, Aged 18 - 22
These are just a sampling of posits, quoted from the written applications to LookUp’s youth innovators challenge - a small window into the creative voices of the young people around the globe who want to solve the issues they encounter using technology and living in a digital world. I’m grateful to inhabit a world and community with these leaders and change-makers and to get to support them through LookUps unique program.
Until then, like our young innovator in Australia, I’ll be “focusing on the positive solutions and…a path forward” in this digitally connected world.
Sam Carpenter
Executive Director, LookUp
