Mahnoor Jillani (Grade 12) - Ridgepark College
Image: Supplied
Future Tense
By Mahnoor Jillani (Grade 12, Ridgepark College)
There was a time when I walked out of an important exam feeling uncertain about my work. That evening, while scrolling through TikTok, my feed was filled with videos like “When you know you failed” and “How one test can ruin your future.” What began as a passing feeling quickly turned into panic. By the next morning, I was convinced I had done poorly.
In my view, in today’s digital world, it often feels as though our devices understand us better than we understand ourselves. Moments after we experience something significant, whether positive or negative, similar content appears on our social media feeds. This raises an unsettling question: are our thoughts truly our own, or are they being subtly shaped by the technology we use every day?
I believe there is no doubt that social media has taken the world by storm. It has become so common that even a five-year-old can use it with ease. Ironically, the same parents we once taught how to use technology are now the ones reminding us to use it responsibly.
There was a time when being sent to your room served as a punishment. Today, they beg us to come out, even if only to remind them of what we look like. And honestly, why would we come out when everything we need – entertainment, connection, or validation – is right there in our hands?
In my experience, this digital age has made us so accustomed to comfort that even simple tasks, such as setting an alarm, are no longer done manually; we rely on Bixby or Siri to do it for us. While AI is beneficial in many ways and assists us as no human ever could, I have noticed that we fail to realise how it has slowly started taking over our ability to make even the simplest decisions in our lives. As a result, individuals may believe they are forming independent opinions when, in reality, their views are being guided by curated content.
The internet gives us answers at the touch of a keyboard, making us so addicted to comfort that we are now proud to say, “Work smarter, not harder,” without realising how much we have bowed to convenience.
In education, for example, I believe we are no longer just learning – we are often copying. A single prompt can generate an entire essay. And as much as it feels amazing to have your work done at a single touch, we do not realise how lethargic it makes us and how we are unable to retain any information. We have access to more information than any generation before us, yet we question less.
Social media is a world of opinions, and too often, we become slaves to them. In my observation, opinions spread faster than facts, creating unrealistic standards and an overwhelming urge to fit into this fabricated online world.
Our feeds do not prioritise truth; they prioritise engagement. They quietly decide what we see, and most importantly, what we never get to see. Recently, Instagram introduced a feature that claims to let us “design our algorithm.” But what is the point when the platform still controls the narrative?
I believe social media gives us the illusion of choice, but in reality, it limits what we see, shaping not only our opinions but also the way we learn and think – ultimately shaping our life choices. Whether it is motivation, education or validation that we seek, we turn to algorithms instead of people.
Continuous exposure to content has contributed to reduced attention spans, making it more difficult to focus on complex tasks. At the same time, misinformation spreads rapidly online, often faster than factual content, making it challenging to distinguish between truth and opinion. Social media also contributes to mental health challenges, as users are exposed to unrealistic standards and experience the pressure to conform, leading to anxiety and the fear of missing out.
However, it would be unfair to view technology merely as a negative influence. Digital platforms have modernised access to knowledge, enabling people to learn, connect and share ideas across the globe. Online education, awareness campaigns and instant communication are just a few examples of how technology can empower individuals when used responsibly. Without active effort, it becomes easy to consume information passively, allowing algorithms to shape perceptions and limit independent thought.
So, in my view, perhaps the real question is not whether technology controls us. It is whether we are willing to pause, question and think for ourselves.