Venezuelan Minister for Science and Technology interviewed by Marialcira Matute in VTV on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Photo: Venezuelan Ministry for Science and Technology.
In an interview on the television program La Librería Mediática, broadcast by Venezolana de Televisión and hosted by Marialcira Matute, Venezuelan Minister for Science and Technology Gabriela Jiménez warned that over 62% of content on social networks contains violent messages. This finding, based on studies and surveys conducted in Venezuela, could have a negative impact on people’s mental health.
During the interview on Saturday, October 5, Minister Jiménez also explained that mental health goes beyond the absence of illness. It encompasses a state of balance and well-being that includes organic, spiritual, self-recognition, self-esteem, life plans, and personal satisfaction. This was highlighted in a recent press release from the Ministry for Science and Technology.
She added that recent studies have shown that 32% of young people in Spain, during 2023-2024, have experienced self-esteem issues, anxiety, and depression, all linked to intensive use of social media platforms.
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Minister Jiménez explained, “This phenomenon has been identified as the FOMO (fear of missing out) syndrome, which is characterized by the fear of missing out on something important that others are experiencing. It affects more than 70% of young people, who keep their mobile phones near their pillows or on their bedside tables. This technological dependence generates a false reality that, when contrasted with real life, causes emotional shocks and high rates of frustration.”
The minister remarked the importance of parents, educators, and society in general to remain alert of the content that young people view.
“Media diversity must play an active role in promoting ethical and moral values, countering the violence and banality that often permeate social media. The mental health of our young people is a priority, and it is everyone’s responsibility to work together to create a healthier and more balanced digital environment,” she added.
Effects of excessive use of social networks
The minister added that official reports have shown that excessive use of social media affects the central lobe of the brain, reducing the capacity of synapses and the construction of neural networks.
This phenomenon, known as dopamine generation, is characterized by a constant search for dopamine peaks through rapid and superficial reading of information. This behavior hinders deep and reflective understanding.
Minister Jiménez said, “This faster generation has spikes of dopamine, so they read very little information, about 30 words, which doesn’t allow them to go deeper, and then they move on to the next post.”
Jiménez also commented that it is important to develop the ability to understand, through careful, slow reading, in order to interpret and analyze content so that it is possible to compare it with reality.
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University of Sciences
The minister also spoke about the new Dr. Humberto Fernández-Morán University of Sciences, which aims to offer high-quality education and train the next generation in those specialties that are necessary for the development of the country.
“We want this university to have an ethical and moral practice that accompanies the training of its scientists, developing virtue through knowledge for a science for life,” she said.
Jiménez noted that the university will offer 15 new programs and plans to open its academic headquarters in 2024. This initiative aims to foster a connection between community knowledge and technical development.
She also stated that they want the university to promote ethical and moral principles in the training of its scientists, aiming to cultivate virtue through knowledge for the benefit of science and life.
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JRE/MCM
