Why Parents Should Prevent Their Teens from Losing Themselves on Social Media?

Social media is sharp and useful, but one wrong move could cut deep. Today’s teenagers are growing up on YouTube and Instagram as their playgrounds. While we may want to believe it’s all about cute dance videos or learning new recipes, reality gives us pain. Beneath the glossy surface lie challenges that parents often overlook or, worse, ignore.

A global study reveals that teens spend an average of 4.8 hours a day glued to screens, consuming videos that range from entertaining to outright hazardous. This isn’t just about harmless fun; it’s about how these videos can shape their thoughts, faith, and safety.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ug… Unbelievable!

There are numerous videos inspiring empathy, teaching new skills, and encouraging emotional well-being. Watching someone paint, play instruments, dance, repair a bicycle or plant a garden can motivate teens to explore similar hobbies. But that was relatable when Instagram hadn’t grown into us so much. The dark side of online videos is filled with content promoting violence, risky behaviours and bizarre challenges that no sane person would attempt.

The invasion of kinky, erotic, and aggressive content somehow finds its way onto teen timelines. It’s not just about what teens see; it’s about what they absorb. Constant exposure to negative stereotypes and unrealistic expectations will erode their ability to build healthy relationships.

AI and Deepfakes: Spot the fox with tiger stripes.

AI-generated videos have taken this digital dilemma to a whole new level. It’s no longer easy to distinguish between what’s real and what’s computer-generated. Deepfakes are already confusing and limitless games, manipulating images and videos so well that even seasoned adults can’t tell the difference. This is where parental guidance becomes crucial, especially for teens who are still learning to analyse information and are vulnerable.

Platforms try to flag AI-generated content, but these systems are about as reliable as an umbrella in a hurricane. So, teens must be taught to question what they see online. Whether an impossibly perfect body or an overly dramatic scandal, there’s a chance it could be an AI illusion.

The Power of Influencers

Influencers hold a charm over everyone, especially teenage followers. Their words, fashion choices, and even snack recommendations are taken as holy instructions.

Most influencers’ promotions are paid for. Blinded by the glamour, teens rarely distinguish between a genuine recommendation and a sponsored post. Well, I don’t want to be too one-sided here, sympathising with teens, but how many relate to movie stars promoting unhealthy aerated drinks, and some even promote Gutkha or worse in the form of Mouth Freshers?

The responsibility doesn’t just lie with teens but also with influencers. If their audience comprises young minds, they must promote the difference. It’s high time platforms shield younger users from harmful content instead of feeding their screens with pre-run algorithms.

The Elephant in the Room

Screen time is the old witch in this saga. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children under ten spend less than an hour on screens daily.

For teens, now that you can think on your own and it’s time to step out and learn to be an adult, put the phone down and go outside. Excessive screen time isn’t just a health hazard; it steals precious moments that could be spent sleeping, playing sports or just talking to someone face-to-face.

Families struggle to enforce screen time rules, especially as kids grow older and more independent. However, a certain boundaries promote a healthy balance between screen time and other activities making all the difference. Finding the balance isn’t very complicated, that doesn’t mean we war against technology.

On the Other Hand:

ASER reveals the digital habits of Indian rural kids aged 14-18.
Let’s understand the insights:

Smartphone Usage:

• About 90% of rural youth have access to a smartphone and know how to use it. There is a significant gender gap: 43.7% of boys have phones compared to 19.8% of girls.

PCs and Laptops:

• Only 9% of households have a computer or laptop. Those with access to these devices are far more skilled (85%) than those without (33.9%).

Digital Skills and Safety:

• Many rural youth use social media (90.5%), but only half understand online safety settings, with boys being more aware than girls. Around 50% of boys and 30% of girls have an email ID, and their email usage increases with education levels.

Educational Use:

• Two-thirds of these youth use smartphones for education, like watching study videos or sharing notes, and 25% of non-students report similar usage to developing skills from YouTube.

Online Services:

• About 25% use smartphones for tasks like paying bills or booking tickets. Boys (37.6%) are more likely to use such services than females (19%).

Entertainment:

• Entertainment is a major activity, with 80% using smartphones to watch movies or listen to music.

The survey shows that while rural kids are digitally connected, significant gender disparities and gaps in digital safety awareness remain challenges.

The Underage Influencer Paranoia

And there are underage influencers, teenagers with massive followings whose parents often have no idea what content they’re posting on Instagram and other social media platforms. Remaining parents look the other way, enjoying the fame and money their kids bring in without questioning the cost. The online and offline dangers these teens face are staggering yet largely ignored.

Digital content is available on all platforms at all times, and teens will explore it with or without guidance. But as parents, guardians, or bystanders, we must feel responsible and step in. Limiting harmful content, teaching critical thinking, and encouraging a life beyond screens are no longer optional; they’re essential. We have entered social media’s dread and drowning zone, and it will soon overtake our reality.

Let’s not wait for another cautionary tale to trend online. Instead, let’s ensure your teens don’t just survive but thrive in this digital age.
And maybe it’s time we all take a break from scrolling and look up at the actual world around us. After all, it’s the only world we’ve got.

Also Read: The Chaotic Shift of Dating and Relationships on/by Social Media