Consumerism -Its Effect on Youth- Saanvi Chougule

Introduction Saanvi Chougule

Consumerism is a social and economic phenomenon that promotes the continuous acquisition of goods and services, often beyond basic needs, with the belief that personal happiness and societal progress depend on purchasing and owning more. It encourages a lifestyle where consumption is a central part of identity and well-being, heavily influenced by mass production, advertising, and social pressures. 

Consumerism - Its Effect on Youth by Sannvi Chougule The talk was given on January 30, 2024, as part of the event at the CNM School in India.

 

Awards and accolades

Saanvi is class 10 Students off CNM School and promising one too 

Her accolades and awards are as follows

Winner of Times of India Student of the Year award 2023

Winner of inter school poetry writing competition in 2022and 2023

First runner up in panache 2022 Inter School declamation competition

 

Saanvi represented CNM school at the SDG fest 2022 (Sustainable Development Goals) on the theme of Sustainable innovation challenge.

 

She also participated in the Inter School Hindi elocution competition under Inter school Marathi elocution competition Vivek Utsav 2022, along with the Inter School creative writing competition 2019. Miss Saanvi will speak on a topic consumerism its effect on the youth. 

 

Over to you miss Saanvi

 

Thank you very much hello everyone and a very good evening

My name is Saanvi devanam Chougule, I really wish to thanked tedex youth at CNMS School and my principal for giving me this opportunity to speak here today. It's an absolute honor for me to be here. Today my topic is consumerism and its impact on youth.

Let me first give you two examples to set the context for today

Number one, when you hear that thousands of people have lying Up All Night in Front of a store selling the latest version of popular mobile phones.

That is consumerism and when you hear that, a girl has sold her kidney to buy one of the same mobile phones. that ladies and gentleman Is the impact of consumerism.

 

So let us define our topic a little bit more in detail 

Consumerism or materialism as per economists in the conspicuous consumption. That is the belief, that personal well being our personal satisfaction; it depends to a very large extent on the level of consumption of material goods. Basically the more you consume or more you buy the higher level of satisfaction. Now when we talk of consumerism, let us come to the consumers.

Who are these consumers?

Now a consumer can be anyone, it can be a toddler it can be a teenager it can be adult or a senior citizen. But for my topic here today, we are going to understand the consumers, as the youths the youth of our generation. 

 

 

 

How do you define youth?

Youth as per general believe our people aged between 15 to 25. If you ask the leaders, youth are the ones on whose Shoulders the future of this great country lies. But I personally believe that youth is not just time of life are just an age It is the state of mind of a person it is the period.

I am not saying age it is the period during which a person developed his self image develops his self identity interacts with the outside world. Forms opinions and beliefs based on experimentation has creativity Will power and courage to dare to experimental into uncharted territories And in the process he outgrows the standardized templates of living life that is youth. But sadly and unfortunately Due to growing consumerism today's youth is facing an identity crisis.

 

So before I elaborate up on this further let us go back and understand how consumerism took The centre stage in our lives so 40 years back there was no internet back, 100 years back there was no television and more few 100 years back there was no print media. Indians traditionally have always lived in Close knit joint families with uncle’s ant’s cousin’s relative’s grandparents and everybody related to. And that was the way life was. So when the parents were busy working or earning their livelihood It was the grandparents who Rise the children by telling them stories about India's glorious past Our pet heroes and of course magical kings and kingdoms.

 

But over time we went from joint families to separated nuclear families And from separate a nuclear families we became simply nuclear families So what happened in the process Grandparents for replaced by media Particularly television media and of course The Big Daddy of all internet and Smart phones today even toddler possesses a gadget, And parents take pride and saying that my 3 year old does not eat unless he watches cartoons. And of course I am not just going to stand here talk about how consumerism impacted other and be the perfect a little unaffected girl myself while I myself was growing up I form myself refusing to attend the birthday parties of my friends unless I was dressed up as my favorite cartoon character.

 

Every 2 to 3 years my school bag my pencil Pouch my water bottle would change based on my new favorite character So research shows that media television Media does not discriminate based on age It makes absolutely no difference where the audience is an 8 year old, 8 year old today rapid Development in technology and Infrastructure have drastically improved Standard of living of millennial today the rise of internet and social media has led to an ease of access of information or Misinformation to today's youth.

 

As I notice around me today's youth is bombarded with material messages which Encourages this purchasing behavior For example the spread of pop culture has led to a arise in idol groups and by using the popular celebrities to endorse their brands big companies higher marketing companies to take advantage of youth desire to be popular today is youth want to be popular and centre of attraction of their group By  possessing products manufactured by these big brands today’s Youth feels that sense of achievement Or that sense of a accomplishment in that group. In my very own friends circle Some of my friends look down upon people wear in traditional clothing just Because it is not Glamorous youth with lower self control are not only getting attracted Also addicted to video gaming.

 

Today the video gaming industry is estimated to be at above to 150 billion USD Dollars and it is learning you to buy new And a newer version of your games released every year and in the process Make is the parents work even hard or to meet the demands of the children today The spread of fan culture of a singers Celebrities has led to groupism  among today's youth Today youth is Engaging in unnecessary Nasty debates online and trolling on social media Which is  vitiating the tender  minds of today's youths That is what I am talking about traditionally Indian women  Peers  they’re yours or  nose Today girls as well as boys are piercing every part of their body other Then there nose and their years.

One of my cousins has gone even a step further and pierced her tongue.

 

Yeah it happens I know I know and Today it is only right to say that marketing companies are seeking brand Loyalty is right from your cradle so how is all these impacting our youth as I said previously at an age of developing their self image At an age of developing their self identity Confidence or an identity crisis our identity is no longer Defined by who we are our what we do It has become quite directly related to what we possess Possessing cool stuff has actually become much more important than being cool This reminds me a quote of Tennyson we are now not that strength which in old days moved Earth and heaven that which we are , we are we are one equal temper of heroic hearts made weak by time and fate.

 

And add consumerism as per study in North America about 20% of youth there is overweight or obese and by the time the students reach the eighth to the 12th grade they have begun consuming alcohol or even smoking.

And today is globalised world That Western narrative is affecting our youth and society as well to submit it up consumerism is leading to psychosomatic problems like depression anxiety Lower self esteem and behavior problems but is technology or innovation so bad, that we must stay away from it.

 

No Absolutely not I strongly disagree this agree Remember it is the same technology that help us in only learning during The pandemic it is the same technology that has brought the world closer.  What is the same technology that has improved our standard of living our city and security and today Innovations in Science have decreased Mortality rates in human beings and made space Tourism possible how we tackle the impact of growing consumerism on today's youth.

 

There are three main solutions in my opinion

Number one awareness versus ignorance You have to be aware about how consumerism is a shaping your thinking your Mood and your physical and mental will being Once you are aware of it you have to be alert of it.

Number two is communication Parents much spend time daily to talk to that child about various Social and economic problems and then sure there a participation in important Purchasing decisions assessing it based on two factors wants and needs Ask yourself a simple question before you purchase anything Are you buying it because you really need it Or are you buying it just because you wanted because somebody else has it.

Is a hip thing to have?

Number three is that the parents must teach the child the importance of money financial literacy and similar activities can be planned in schools as well to inculcate the same.

For example Apparent can inculcate The habit of saving right from Young age my dad for instance Really gifted me anything expensive or extravagant on my birthday Instant he has invested that money in a appreciating Assets and that’s Very good beginning.

 

Lastly in the past 200 years specially after the industrial revolution Consumerism has increased steadily marketing Companies are driving on the psychology of the youth and are targeting their parents indirectly

 

 

We live in a world which is evolving at a very fast pace Trust me when I say this Effect of these developments are more constructive than destructive We have to learn to look at it from the right Lens and strive to develop its strength while being aware of its weaknesses and by remaining Grounded and respecting our culture heritage we can strive  for the betterment of this great country and Society so today  I take your leave I want you ponder Ask one simple question to yourself Are you what you are because of you are or what you own? Thank you very much 

 

Summary

The talk was given on January 30, 2024, as part of the event at the CNM School in India.

 

Sannvi Chougule’s TEDx talk is a thoughtful and well-articulated reflection on how consumerism affects youth. She highlights the psychological impact and offers actionable strategies through education, communication, and cultural grounding.

 

As an articulate Class 10 speaker, she inspires both families and communities to rethink how we guide young people toward healthier values and identities. At the time of the talk, Saanvi Chougule was a Class 10 student at CNM School. She was the winner of the "Times of India Student of the Year" award in 2023.

 

Theme

● Consumerism: links personal happiness to material goods

● Identity Crisis: Youth self-image tied to possessions.

● Media Influence: Technology and media drive consumerist norms

● Mental Health, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem on the rise

● Solutions: Create awareness, communication with parents, and financial literacy.

● Parental Role: Teach by example, involve children in decisions

● Cultural Balance: blends modernity with heritage for holistic growth

 

Key takeaways from the talk:

Youth identity crisis:

Chougule explained that consumerism, which values material possessions, can lead to an identity crisis among young people. Their self-image becomes dependent on what they own rather than who they are.

Psychological effects:

The talk discussed how materialism affects the mental health of adolescents, contributing to issues like depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and behavioral problems.

Role of media and technology:

Chougule highlighted how media and technology have accelerated consumerism by bombarding young people with material messages, leading them to associate big brands with a sense of accomplishment.

Proposed solutions:

She emphasized the importance of awareness, communication, and financial literacy to help young people navigate the pressures of consumerism. She also suggested that parents and society have a crucial role to play in mitigating its negative effects.

Key Insights of the talk

1. Sannvi defines Consumerism

Consumerism, as described in the talk, is the belief that personal satisfaction hinges on material consumption—on acquiring “things.”

2. Sannvi highlights the Impact of Consumerism on Youth and their Identity. Young people increasingly define their self-worth by what they own, rather than who they are or what they do. This trend is creating an identity crisis.

3. The Role of Media and Technology

The talk highlights how media—TV, social media, and the internet—has amplified consumerist messages. Traditional family structures and direct interpersonal influences have been overshadowed, shaping youth expectations and behaviors.

4. Psychological and Behavioural Consequences

Consumerism is linked to a host of psychosomatic issues:

Depression

Anxiety

Lower Self-Esteem

Behavioral Problems

5. Proposed Solutions

Sannvi outlines several pathways to mitigate consumerism’s negative effects:

Awareness: Youth should be educated to recognize and question consumerist messaging.

Communication: Open dialogue—especially between parents and children—helps clarify wants versus needs.

Financial Literacy: Teaching the basics of money management empowers youth to make informed choices.

6. Parents’ Role

Parents can significantly influence how their children understand consumption: Spend quality time discussing social and economic issues. Involve youth in purchasing decisions. Clearly distinguish between needs and wants.

7. Community and Cultural Balance

Sannvi stresses that while embracing the benefits of modern technology, society also needs to ground younger generations in cultural heritage, ensuring a balanced identity that honors tradition alongside progress.