Should teenagers really have unrestricted access to social media? 

 Meghna Yadav, head of Training and Development, child psychologist, and a family counsellor at KLAY, recently shared her thoughts in an article published in Youth Talks about teens using AI and social media.   

She discussed something many parents are already wondering about: “Should teenagers really have unrestricted access to social media?”  

As AI is becoming a bigger part of all social media platforms, fear around anxiety, cyberbullying, and addictive content is on a huge rise. It is quite reasonable that the Indian government is considering age-based restrictions on social media.   

In teens, children are still undergoing significant brain development, which makes managing impulses and making decisions quite tricky. Furthermore, the endless scrolling in social media, constant comparison, and disturbed sleep cycle make them overwhelmed.  

But here’s the interesting part Meghna points out, simply restricting access to social media may not solve the real problem.  

Today, teenagers use social media not just for fun but to connect, learn, and express themselves. If we limit their access, they might find ways around it and use it irresponsibly.  

To tackle this, Meghna highlights a more balanced approach. She talks about the need for digital literacy, which will not restrict teenagers but will help them spot misinformation and how algorithms work. She also stresses the importance of parents being involved, having open conversations about scams, misrepresentation, and false news to guide them, rather than just monitoring them.  

Then comes the big question for the role of tech platforms- “If the social media platforms are designed to keep users hooked, shouldn’t they also be designed to keep them safe as well?”  

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to keep teenagers away from technology but to prepare them to handle it better. In an era where digital spaces are unavoidable, building awareness and healthy habits matters far more than just restricting access. 

PS: This article was originally published in Youth Talks.