The Archbishop of Cape Coast, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle has lamented the negative impacts of social media on youth productivity.

He noted that social media platforms have become a major distraction for young people, consuming much of their time in unproductive discussions.

The Archbishop encouraged the youth to engage with social media in a constructive manner, by acquiring new skills and researching topics that can enhance their lives, rather than wasting time on fleeting online trends.

His remarks were made at the Cape Coast Archdiocesan Youth Rally of the Roman Catholic Church at Assin Fosu, in the Central Region.

“Social media, especially TikTok, has made most youth idle, as they spend much time there instead of making productive use of the time. Use your social media profitably, use it to learn new skills, and search for valuable information instead of following unnecessary trends online,” Archbishop Palmer-Buckle advised, as quoted by graphic.com.gh.

At the same event, Deputy Minister of Education and MP for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, urged the youth to pursue paths that will enrich their lives and contribute positively to society.

“Create your opportunities and make it lucrative for others to benefit from. No man is talentless,” the minister said.

The debate on social media's influence on individuals continues, with some stakeholders advocating for strategies to mitigate its negative effects.

SB/AE