Purpose: This study aims to examine the impact of social networks on the moral and ethical development of young people in the era of globalization. It explores how social media platforms serve not only as tools for communication and information exchange but also as powerful agents of influence shaping young individuals' values, attitudes, and perceptions Methodology/approach: The article adopts a qualitative descriptive approach, drawing on literature analysis, case studies, and prior empirical findings on social media usage among youth. The study also maps the historical development of social networks, tracing their evolution from traditional offline communities to the present-day digital environment. Results/findings: Findings reveal that social networks play a dual role in youth education and character building. While they provide opportunities for knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, and promotion of spiritual and national values, they also expose youth to misinformation, cyberbullying, harmful content, and value distortion. The research identifies critical phases where social networks significantly influence moral development, highlighting the risks of unfiltered exposure to digital platforms Conclutions: Social networks are shaping the ethics and behavior of younger generations more profoundly than traditional institutions. Proper guidance, digital literacy programs, and value-based content creation are necessary to harness social media’s benefits while mitigating its negative effects. Limitations: The study relies on secondary data and literature-based analysis, lacking primary empirical data from large-scale youth surveys. Contribution: This research provides scientific recommendations for policymakers, educators, and parents on fostering positive digital environments that strengthen ethical, spiritual, and national values among youth.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the conservation of palm wine by reducing its microbial load, specifically mold, yeast, and bacteria. Research Methodology: Palm wine was conserved by sterilization with ultraviolet rays. The time of contact of the rays and the intensity of the rays with palm wine were varied. The microorganisms considered include molds, yeasts, and bacteria. Results: The results showed that the microbial load of sterilized palm wine decreased with time of contact with the rays. The microbial load of the wine before and after sterilization was determined. Moreover, the microbial load further decreased during the storage of the sterilized samples. In fact, sterilization time of 240 seconds (4 minutes) reduced the mould and yeast from  to  and then to zero after 10 days of preservation. Conclusions: UV radiation is an effective method for reducing microbial contamination in palm wine, with an optimal sterilization time of 240 s providing the best results. This sterilization process not only reduced microbial presence immediately but also extended the shelf life of palm wine during storage. Limitations: This study did not examine the impact of stirring palm wine during sterilization on microbial load reduction, which could potentially influence the treatment’s effectiveness. Contribution: This study established an ideal sterilization time of 240 s (4 min) for palm wine, providing an effective method for its preservation and ensuring its safety for consumption.