In a world constantly connected by screens, it’s easy to feel like our lives revolve around our phones, tablets, and computers. But while technology offers incredible opportunities, it’s crucial for us, especially teenagers, to understand the potential dangers lurking online and how to navigate this digital landscape safely and healthily.
Our recent presentation, “Social Media and Other Dangers”, delved deep into the impact of the digital age, particularly on Gen Z. Unlike previous generations, many of us have grown up with smartphones and social media, shaping our lives and even our brains in new ways. The constant pressure to manage an “online brand,” gain peer acceptance, and avoid online shaming has led many to spend countless hours scrolling through curated feeds. But what is the true cost of this digital immersion?
The Hidden Costs of Constant Connection
The Anxious Generation: Statistics show a concerning rise in mental health challenges among young people. Since 2010, there have been significant increases in diagnoses of anxiety and depression among undergraduates, along with other conditions. Our brains are changing; the constant stimulation from screens can lead to reduced attention spans, increased anxiety, and even an impact on our memory and sleep.
The Truth About Your Phone: It’s designed to addict us. Social media, despite its name, can often make us less social in real life. The idea of “multi-tasking” on our devices is a myth – our brains aren’t built for it. Ultimately, over-reliance on phones can lead to increased stress and decreased overall life satisfaction.
When Reality Blurs: Online, not everything is as it seems. We see perfectly curated photos on Instagram, but often, just five minutes later, the reality is very different. This constant exposure to filtered “perfection” can negatively affect our self-esteem.
More sinister threats include Deepfakes, which are videos or images manipulated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create fake content. These are not just harmless pranks; they are illegal and can be used for blackmail or extortion, with severe legal consequences in South Africa, including hefty fines and prison time.
The Dark Side of Online Interaction: Sextortion & Predators: A disturbing trend is sextortion, where victims are blackmailed using explicit imagery. This is alarmingly on the rise, particularly targeting teenage boys on platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. Online predators can easily disguise their true identities, transforming into what appears to be a child in mere seconds, making it incredibly difficult to discern who is truly on the other side of the screen.
The Impact on Our Brains: Constant digital rewards, likes and notifications flood our brains with dopamine, creating a cycle that can lead to addiction. This “TikTok brain” phenomenon is associated with lower attention spans, higher rates of anxiety and depression, eating disorders, and even an increased risk of suicide.
Sleep Deprivation: Are you getting enough sleep? Teenagers need around 8 hours. The blue light from screens suppresses melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleepy, making it harder to fall asleep. Lack of sleep puts us at higher risk for emotional and psychological problems.
Anhedonia & Self-Harm: Some teens experience anhedonia – a loss of interest and enjoyment in activities they once loved. In extreme cases, emotional distress can lead to self-harm. While physical pain can temporarily release endorphins and distract from emotional pain, self-harm is not a healthy coping mechanism and requires professional help.
The Biggest Risks: Pornography & Sex-texting:
- Pornography: Sadly, the average age of exposure to pornography is around 6 years old. Pornography can alter the developing brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex responsible for decision-making. It often promotes male domination and hypermasculinity, portraying sexual violence as normal, which can lead to poor decision-making and hinder the formation of healthy relationships.
- Sex-texting: This is illegal. Sending explicit material, even with consent, can lead to serious criminal charges, especially if a minor is involved. It can also constitute harassment, stalking, and lead to sextortion.
Taking Back Control: What Now?
Our brains were not designed for constant notifications, endless channels, multiple apps, a 40-hour week (plus 5 social events), text messages, emails, and WhatsApp’s. No wonder we feel overwhelmed, frazzled and on high alert. Let’s slow down, turn off, reschedule, and delete whenever we can.
The good news is that we can all take steps to create healthier boundaries with our digital lives.
Here are screen time guidelines for busy parents and device rules for children:
- Best resources to learn about settings, apps, websites, and games:
- org
- Bark
- Pornography exposure: Protect young eyes and, for adults, Covenant Eyes
- Best tracking app: Life360
- Best monitoring app: Bark
- Best free parental control: Google Family Link or Screentime on Apple
- Regular check-ins and conversations with your children about what they are up to online. The best line of defence against all online harms is involved, engaged, aware and active parents.
- Watch Childhood 2.0 on YouTube.
- Watch The Social Dilemma on Netflix
- Book available: The Digital Dilemma. Anke and Eldred de Beer (Available on Takealot)
Some device rules for children:
- No wi-fi devices in the bedroom.
- If possible, switch off the wi-fi router at night.
- Wait until Grade 8 (14 years) before giving a child a phone, and then start with a “dumb” phone.
- No social media until 16. (Age restriction currently is 13years)
- 1 hour 30 minutes before bedtime, no screen time. It’s even better to hand in the phone at bedtime.
- Say no to Snapchat, Telegram and TikTok. Monitor WhatsApp.
- Set a screentime limit and stick to it (MAX 1 hour a day for Primary School and 2 hours a day for High School learners)
- No passwords on the phone that you do not know.
- Less than 200 friends on any application.
- No talking to strangers on any app or device.
- Turn off location services on your child’s cell phone – except tracking software (free on most smartphones or download Life360 from the app store).
- All social media accounts must be private.
- If they are being cyberbullied, teach them
- Block
- Screenshot
- Report
- If they came across adult material, teach them to
- Turn away from the screen
- Run/walk away
- Tell an adult
It’s time to regain control over our digital habits. By being aware of the dangers and proactively implementing healthier practices, we can ensure technology serves us, allowing us to thrive both online and in the real world.
