Page 19 - IFV Issue 11 November 2023

Today’s Child

demonstrate popularity or being well- • Mental health challenges
liked. It demonstrates the account- As mentioned above, edited photos
holder’s ability to use people for their and enhanced photos are the norm
goal of achieving status/popularity. on Instagram. These create false and
More realistically, the number of unrealistic expectations for teens to try
people they are following back shows to meet. Teens strive for more ‘likes’ by
how many people the account holder editing their photos. Body image, and by
actually engages with in real life – that is, extension mental health and wellbeing,
how many people they know personally become eroded. Cyberbullying also takes
and choose to follow back is a better place between friends who are fighting
reflection on their social standing. or former romantic partners who are now
For example, if a teen has 1 500 in conflict – exposing photos are posted
followers but is only following 350 back, to cause one of the parties distress and to
this reflects pseudo-popularity/like. lash out at them due to personal hurt.
Out of the 350, 250 to 300 of those may • Live streaming
represent a truth closer to reality of the Live streaming is another concerning
number of people the account holder feature of Instagram when it comes to
engages with in real life. The process of teenagers. It allows users to connect with
choosing who is ‘worth’ following back followers in real time. This has all sorts
is harrowing and is another discussion of problems with regard to exposure, let
altogether. alone the grooming and abuse that can
sneak into a teen’s feed. Online bullying
Key points to consider: is also prevalent in “live chats”, where
• Hooked on scrolling friends discuss others in an open and
Most social media platforms are designed real-time live conversation.
to keep users engaged for long periods of
time. Instagram does this very effectively Pointing fingers
by allowing users to scroll indefinitely. Problems with new technology get
Teens and adults quickly lose track of blamed on technology. If we want to
time while scrolling. Sleep gets disrupted find a solution to these problems, we
and relationships become strained as need to take ownership of our role in
families no longer communicate with the situation and take cognisance of the
one another. technologically driven world in which we
• Direct messages (DMs) live.
DMs allows users to share posts, videos, There has always been a medium
photos, voice messages and calls with transmitting social pressure. Previously
each other. Even if a teenager’s account is it was TV, newspapers and magazines.
set as private, anybody with an Instagram Today it includes social media and the
account is able to DM another Instagram internet. The challenge with social media
user. Human nature being what it is, is that it is accessible all day, every day,
curiosity may get the better of your teen, from anywhere and for as long as you
and they may let themself be exposed to like.
someone or something you would prefer It is the social pressure put on teens
them not knowing about or seeing. that is part of our culture, that is then
• Influencer culture amplified by social media. Things like
Influencer culture is a fascinating thing. popularity used to be abstract. Today
Influencers promote products, services, it is quantifiable in terms of how many
apps, etc. to the target audience. These followers you have on Instagram.
titbits are not always easy to uncover as However, we need to guard against
they are housed in benign-looking posts making social media the forbidden fruit.
and may mislead teens into wanting Teenagers are always one step ahead of
something promoted on their feed. their parents. For example:

The Villager • Issue 11 2023 • 17