Saukuru raises concerns about youths misusing social media instead of building businesses

It’s sad to say that, not only in Fiji, but in all Pacific islands, we are still using Facebook in a detrimental way.

This has been highlighted to fijivillage News by Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru, who has raised concerns about the growing misuse of social media among young people.

Speaking at the Creative Content Workshop hosted by the National Youth Council of Fiji in partnership with the International Peace Youth Group at the Sun Insurance Building in Suva, Saukuru says many young people continue to use digital platforms for gossip and negativity instead of taking advantage of their potential for business growth and personal development.

Saukuru says the issue is especially evident among Generation Z, those born during the rapid rise of mobile technology, who rely heavily on their devices.

He says that while technology offers enormous benefits, it has also contributed to school dropouts and limited interpersonal communication, as many youths prefer working alone on devices rather than engaging face-to-face.

Despite the challenges, Saukuru emphasised that digital tools can significantly enhance productivity if young people are properly trained and guided.

He highlighted Fiji’s increasing dependence on technology, pointing out that although the population has not yet reached one million, there are more than 1.3 million active SIM cards, an indication of how deeply mobile devices are embedded in daily life.

Saukuru says such reliance, if channelled positively, can support entrepreneurship, messaging, marketing and constructive creativity, but warned that issues such as illicit drugs and mental health remain pressing concerns for the region’s young population.

Raqiwa says the Council, through the Provincial Youth Forum and Youth Assemblies of Fiji, represents youth leaders from all provinces and communities, including minority groups.

She says the training aims to ensure that participants return to their communities equipped to teach and advocate for responsible digital engagement.

Describing youths as “digital natives”, Raqiwa says the initiative helps them use social media to build collaboration, strengthen community work and uplift one another, rather than contribute to division or misinformation.

The workshop will end tomorrow.