In Pakistan, 65 per cent of the population is currently aged under 30 years. Sixty-three per cent of this population is aged between 15 and 30 years. In other words, most of them belong to the generation titled ‘Gen Z’, which has become the focus of global attention, notably after the airing of the British television series ‘Adolescence’. We need to take note of the discussion generated by the series in Pakistan as well.

While many believe that the dark contents of social media are restricted to the West, the truth appears to be quite different, according to the limited research conducted on the issue. This is significant given that 31 per cent of Pakistanis own smartphones, according to data collected in 2024 and the number is especially high amongst younger people. This is the age group most exposed to darkness on the internet and spaces where evil in various forms lurks.

This is not evil in the sense of pornographic content or other similar material. In recent years, there has been a growth in secret languages used by younger people, particularly among themselves. There is also the use of symbols, which they comprehend but which parents may not be familiar with. A blue pill, for example, suggests the availability of a particular substance, a black phone suggests a dealer is available, and there are other words and emojis which characterise an individual as being attractive or unattractive.

All this has created a curious culture in which individuals who do not seem able to attract the opposite gender to themselves to........

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