A roundtable discussion titled “Youth and Social Media: Vulnerabilities and Safeguards” was held today at the Press Information Department (PID) Peshawar under the Media Cell to Counter Violent Extremism (CVE), an initiative launched by PID to address the issues related to social media. The session was presided over by Director General PID Peshawar, Ms. Tahira Saeeda, and formally opened by the In-charge Information Officer PID Peshawar, Sabiha Chand. Senior journalists and business community members from Peshawar participated in the discussion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tariq Waheed, Bureau Chief of a TV Channel in Peshawar spoke about the growing influence of social media on young people and explained how misleading or harmful content can affect their thinking. He stressed the need for strong digital awareness so that youth can protect themselves online.
For his part, Zahir Shah Shirazi, senior journalist, said that social media has become a major source of information for the youth, but without proper verification, they can easily believe false content. He called for more cooperation between media and institutions to guide youth toward safe and responsible use of social media.
Another senior journalist from Peshawar, Farid Ullah Khan noted that social media shapes opinions very quickly, sometimes faster than traditional media. He warned that constant exposure to aggressive or misleading posts can increase division among young people. He encouraged journalists and teachers to take part in training programmes that build digital awareness.
Rukhsar Javed, a Peshawar based radio journalist highlighted that youth in rural and semi-urban areas are even more vulnerable because many of them lack digital skills. She said misinformation spreads fast where fact-checking habits are weak. She recommended community-level awareness efforts and digital safety lessons in schools.
During the event, speakers also discussed the role of the CVE Media Cell, which works to monitor extremist narratives, identify misinformation, and promote messages of peace and social harmony. It also produces research-based reports to help policymakers strengthen the country’s information environment.
Speakers agreed that this work is especially important today because young people are among the most active users of social media. The event ended with a joint commitment to promote responsible online behaviour and help protect youth from digital risks.
