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GUIDING YOUNG TEENS ON PROPER SOCIAL MEDIA USE

1. Have you use ever used Social media? What is it?
Social media is a powerful tool that connects people across the globe. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp offer entertainment, information, and communication.
However, like any tool, misuse can lead to harmful consequences. For teens, whose brains and values are still developing, the risks are high.
Misusing social media can also expose youth to sexual predators, exploitation, and abuse, especially when boundaries and privacy are not respected.


2. What are some of Social media do you know about? 
- Social Networking: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X — sharing thoughts, pictures, life events.
- Video Sharing: TikTok, YouTube — short and long videos, often addictive and time-consuming.
- Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Messenger, Snapchat — instant communication.


- Live Streaming: Facebook Live, Instagram Live, Twitch — often unregulated content, exposing youth to inappropriate material.
- Discussion Forums: Reddit, Quora — sharing opinions, but also vulnerable to misinformation or toxic communities.
- Image-focused Platforms: Pinterest, Snapchat — may promote vanity or body image issues.


 3. Can Social Media Waste Time of Young People  and even for adults?
- Teens may spend 3–8 hours daily scrolling, liking, or watching content, replacing study, exercise, and sleep. Proper monitoring is needed
- Addictive algorithms are designed to keep users scrolling (similar to gambling or drugs).
- Mental escape: Like drug users seek a 'high', youth turn to social media for escape from stress, boredom, or loneliness.
- Peer pressure and trends: To 'keep up', many spend excessive time trying to go viral or stay trending. Some may even trend for wrong reasons.
- Sexual exploitation risk: Sexting, grooming by online predators, and sharing explicit content are rising threats. Pornography can be channeled through social media.
- Emotional and psychological damage such as low self-esteem, anxiety, or cyberbullying trauma are consequences similar to substance abuse aftermath.


4. How to Curb Waste of Time
- Set time limits using apps like Digital Wellbeing or Screen Time.
- Parental involvement: Parent are advised to be keen with what their children are doing online. They discover any danger before it is too late.
- Create a structured daily routine including offline hobbies such as playing football etc, reading, and chores 
- Encourage offline social interactions: clubs, church youth groups, or sports.
- Promote mindfulness and self-discipline, teaching that every action online leaves a digital footprint. This can affect your future when probably looking for approvals.
- Educate about online safety and consent, especially concerning sharing personal or intimate images.


5. How to Use Social Media Profitably
- Learning platforms: Follow educational pages (science, math, languages, motivational content).
- Digital skills: Use platforms like YouTube or TikTok to learn coding, design, or music solving mathematical problems. 
- Start a blog or YouTube channel: Share talents, hobbies, and earn income responsibly.
- Networking: Connect with mentors, teachers, or professionals.
- Teach youth that their digital profile is part of their future — colleges and employers check it.


6. Conclusion
- Like drugs or risky sexual behavior, uncontrolled social media use can enslave and damage lives.
- Teens must learn digital responsibility just as they learn about drug resistance or sexual morality.
- Social media, when used wisely, can build dreams. When misused, it can destroy them.

Using social media responsibly is the key.

  • The growth of mega businesses in the world is as a result of expansion of internet and business tapping from it.


Teach the acronym THINK before posting any content to the social media platforms:
  T - True?  Are you posting true information?
  H - Helpful? Is what you are posting helpful?
  I - Inspiring? Is your content going to inspire?
  N - Necessary? Is it necessary to post it in the first place?
  K - Kind? Are you kind to the other social media users?
 

Posted on 27-06-2025.
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This article was authored by Simon Njoroge
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