By Garfield Joseph, MBA
As someone who doesn’t spend much time online, I’m often struck by the level of hostility I see in the comment sections when I do. In a society as close-knit as ours, this kind of digital enmity is not just unhealthy—it’s dangerous. That’s why I’m writing this message to our youth.
It’s 11:47 p.m. You’re lying in bed, scrolling through your phone. You see a post that annoys you. You type a fiery comment. You hit “send.” You feel better—for a moment.
But by morning, your words are screenshotted, shared, and reshaped. The damage is done.
This is the reality for many young people across Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean. Social media is powerful—but it’s also permanent. And in a region where over 5 million people are active on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, the need to pause and think before you post has never been more urgent.
The Digital Mirror
Social media is where we laugh, learn, vent, and connect. But it’s also where we reveal parts of ourselves—sometimes too much, too fast.
A recent study in The Bahamas found that two-thirds of teens spend three or more hours daily on social media, with many engaging in risky behaviours like cyberbullying and sexting. Across the region, youth are facing rising levels of anxiety, depression, and regret linked to what they post online.
And it’s not just about mental health. Employers, scholarship boards, and even immigration officers now check social media profiles. One survey found that 45% of people regret what they posted in their younger years, and 32% said it hurt their job prospects.
Stories of Regret
Young people and adults too have shared stories of posting in anger, sharing private moments, or joining online trends that later embarrassed them. One Caribbean teen said, “I posted something about a friend during an argument. We haven’t spoken since. I wish I had just waited.”
Another confessed, “I shared a video that got laughs, but it made my cousin look bad. I didn’t think it would go viral.”
These moments are real. And they’re reminders that what we post can outlive the moment.
Why We Post Without Thinking
- Peer pressure: Everyone’s doing it, so we join in.
- Emotions: Anger, sadness, or excitement can cloud judgment.
- Validation: Likes and shares feel good—but they don’t always reflect truth.
- FOMO: Fear of missing out pushes us to post fast, not smart.
But as Caribbean elders say, “Hurry bird don’t build good nest.”
A Call to Action to All
Here’s what I invite you to do—before your next post:
- Pause: Take 10 seconds. Ask, “Would I be okay if this was shown to my teacher, boss, or grandmother?”
- Reflect: Is this post kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?
- Protect: Don’t share private info—yours or others. Respect boundaries.
- Think Long-Term: Will this help or hurt your future?
- Be the Example: Use your platform to uplift, not to tear down.
Let’s Build a Better Country by Posting Responsibly.
Social media isn’t the enemy. It’s a tool. But like any tool, it can build or break.
Let’s choose to build.
Let’s be that generation that thinks before it posts. That uses social media to inspire, inform, and connect—not to shame, expose, or destroy.
Because in the Caribbean, we know the power of words. And online, our words travel fast, far and wide.
So next time your fingers hover over “send,” remember: Pause. Think. Post Responsibly.
Let’s make Antigua and Barbuda a model for digital responsibility—one thoughtful post at a time.”
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