Young educators grappling with peers such as social media platforms in an unsolicited race to instruct the youth
Social media's influence on shaping populist attitudes among youth
In the digital age, platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram dominate the leisure time of the younger generation. According to experts, the information consumed on these platforms significantly impacts the formation of populist perspectives.
The publication of extremist content has escalated on social media, with videos containing strong opinions against feminism, the LGBTQIA+ community, or immigrants garnering millions of views and 'likes'. Some of these digital influencers receive support from a vast youth audience, primarily boys, and their popularity legitimizes these controversial messages. Consequently, what was once perceived as a passing trend online is now manifesting in school environments.
"This phenomenon is no longer confined to social media and is growing into something unimaginable," warns the president of the National Association of Public School Directors (ANDAEP).
Recalling the results of the legislative elections on May 18, Filinto Lima has no doubt that the growth of the Chega party is in part due to the votes of young people, as he has observed an increasing alignment with the party's far-right positions among his students.
Manuel Pereira, who emphasizes the natural rebellious spirit inherent in adolescence, notes that today, some of the most extreme ideas are shared not only by political leaders but also by content creators seen as influential figures.
"Many young people think it's 'cool' to be on the side of those who want to change everything," he says, sharing that many of the students at the school he directs in Cinfães have already started actively expressing these positions.
According to Ricardo Soares, a researcher at the Center for Educational Research and Intervention at the University of Porto, the consumption of information on social media heavily influences young people's populist attitudes. With no filters or guidance, these ideas take shape without boundaries, forming opinions and making decisions with minimal supervision.
"The unregulated consumption of content on social media platforms contributes to the formation of far-right attitudes," the president of ANDE emphasizes, adding that most teachers do not use these platforms regularly.
For Manuel Pereira, there is an "unfair competition" between teachers and digital influencers, urging the urgent need to train not only teachers but also non-teachers in handling these topics.
Co-founder of the "Agarrados à Net" project, Tito de Morais agrees that the response should involve training for both teachers and guardians, as well as reinforcing certain topics in the curriculum. He has observed that discussions about topics such as 'cyberbullying' or sexuality often lead to boys defending views that disregard the privacy and autonomy of their peers.
"Good citizenship entails being both online and offline. If I'm fortunate enough that my children have a teacher who is open-minded and addresses these topics, the topic is discussed. Otherwise, the topic is overlooked," he laments.
In addition to these challenges, Manuel Pereira believes that subjects like History or Philosophy have been neglected, leading to a general lack of understanding about historical processes among students.
"What is it that schools aren't doing to help students develop critical thinking skills? Thoughts need to be structured, considering the past and present, and students must understand where they are and how they got here. It's likely that this isn't happening," the expert warns.
Addressing the influence of social media on populist attitudes among the young generation calls for a comprehensive educational approach that equips them with the skills to critically analyze information, promoting constructive online interactions and fostering empathy. This approach includes media literacy education, engaging students in open debate, teaching responsible online behavior, partnering with reputable journalism organizations, and involving parents and local communities in digital education initiatives.
- The unregulated consumption of content on social media platforms, as observed by the president of ANDE, plays a significant role in the formation of far-right attitudes among the youth, shifting their perspectives from general news to education-and-self-development and even extending to politics.
- In light of the increasing alignment of youth with far-right positions and the growing influence of digital influencers, Manuel Pereira advocates for a comprehensive educational approach that includes media literacy education, open debate, responsible online behavior, and partnerships with reputable journalism organizations, to help young people critically analyze information, foster empathy, and promote constructive online interactions.
