Social Media and Teens: Are We Doing Enough to Keep Them Safe?

Understanding the Digital Lives of Teens

From TikTok scrolls to Instagram stories, social media is where teens today laugh, learn, connect, and even launch careers. But while these platforms open up exciting new opportunities, they also bring challenges that can’t be ignored.

In this video, we take a deeper look at how teens engage with social media and explore three key dimensions that impact their lives:

• Access: Not every teen is online — due to cost, geography, or lack of digital skills.

• Well-being: Endless scrolling and social comparison can affect mental health and sleep.

• Privacy: Apps often collect more personal data than users realize.

We highlight how platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok gather user data—from location and messages to ad behavior and even how long you hover over a video. While some tools like screen time reminders exist, they’re often buried or ignored. This calls for a renewed focus on building digital environments that are not just popular—but responsible.

You’ll also learn what families, schools, tech companies, and teens themselves can do to build safer, more inclusive digital spaces.

🎥 Watch the Video

📺 Social Media and Teens: Balancing Connection, Well-being, and Privacy

🔑Key Takeaways

🔹 Not Everyone Is Online
Millions of teens worldwide still face barriers to basic internet access. Rural areas, low-income households, and gender disparities especially affect digital inclusion.

🔹 Digital Literacy Matters
Having a smartphone doesn’t mean knowing how to stay safe. Many teens struggle with identifying misinformation, adjusting privacy settings, or managing their digital time.

🔹 Mental Health Is at Stake
From screen addiction to body image pressure, social media impacts the mental and emotional health of young users. While it offers connection, it can also lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and sleep issues.

🔹 Privacy Isn't Private
Platforms like Meta collect a wide range of behavioral and personal data—from location and device use to how long a teen hovers over a video. Teens often share far more than they realize.

🔹 Solutions Exist, But They Must Improve
Screen time tools, content filters, and privacy settings are available, but they’re often buried or ineffective. Education and platform design both need to evolve to prioritize teen safety.

💬Join the Conversation

How has social media affected your teen’s life? Are current tools and rules doing enough? We want to hear from you.

Drop your thoughts in the YouTube comments or message us.

🔗 Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay empowered.

#SocialMedia #TeensOnline #DigitalWellbeing #PrivacyMatters #TechForGood