Students of Loyola School argued how social media misled young minds and got rightfully lauded for proving their point at the recently held national-level Frank Anthony Memorial All India Inter-School Debate held at Citi Montessori School in Lucknow on September 25.

Muskan Mascharak, a Class XII student of Loyola School, was adjudged the first runner-up as the best speaker at the debate on the topic: Social media is the decision maker. In her speech, she highlighted the need of freedom of speech in social media.

This apart, she and her classmate Vijeet Srinivas came third as a team and were jointly awarded a cash prize of Rs 2,000. Muskan alone was felicitated with a cash prize of Rs 3,000, trophy and a certificate.

"I spoke about how social media has become an inevitable part of our lives. However, social media addicts comprise a small population. What about the poverty-stricken farmers? Their woes are never discussed on such platforms," Muskan said.

Organised by the Council of the Indian School Certificate Examination, the debate is considered to be one of the most prestigious inter-school annual competitions across the country.

Around 1,600 students from Bangalore, Kanpur, Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi and Lucknow took part. Participants were divided in two groups - category I for Classes XI and XII and category II for Classes IX and X.

"This is the second consecutive year that Loyola School qualified in the final of the prestigious debate. Our students have made both our school and Jamshedpur proud," said Father Sebastian Puthenpura, principal, Loyola School.