The impact of social networks on our young people is striking and must continue to concern us, as demonstrated by the rise of homophobia in secondary schools, which represents a setback of 20 years.
This worrying decline was noted after a vast survey conducted by the organization GRIS-Montréal among adolescents in Quebec secondary schools, as reported The Journal THURSDAY.
We learn that the proportion of young people who are uncomfortable with sexual and gender diversity has doubled over the past seven years. The omnipresent social networks are, in particular, responsible, as notes Marie Houzeau, general director of the organization.
Echo chambers
Mme Houzeau observes that young people are now building their identity with social networks and influencers. Echo chambers programmed by algorithms ensure that young people find themselves repeatedly exposed to opinions similar to their own.
There was a time when it would have been embarrassing, and for good reason, to express values associated with the far right, whether in private or in public. Where it would also have been embarrassing to identify with a group of Cro-Magnons who feel bad about themselves, who feel threatened by women because they take their rightful place.
-But when we feel like everyone thinks the same way, because of these echo chambers, we feel more legitimized. This creates an impression of legitimization of extremist ideas and intolerance.
End of an era
This propaganda causes significant democratic and social setbacks. The urgency of better regulating social networks is obvious.
Communicator Bruno Guglielminetti mentioned this week that we could currently be witnessing the end of social networks as we know them. This is the result of platform abuses, where disinformation, toxicity and manipulation by algorithms are intertwined.
He expects a redefinition of roles and responsibilities. I add that it is high time.
