Parents should monitor social media usage, set boundaries

In an interview with Manmeet Gill, Dr Sandeep Aggarwal, Associate Professor at the Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College, Amritsar, shares his findings on the ill-effects of the overexposure of social media and AI on young minds and their bodies.

In this digital age, children are constantly bombarded with unrealistic beauty standards and ideals on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok. The relentless pursuit of likes, comments and online validation has led to a disturbing rise in body image issues among children.

Take the case of 12-year-old Rohan, who was teased by his classmates for his lean build and average height. He began to feel self-conscious and started hitting the gym, hoping to bulk up. However, his obsession with physical fitness took a toll on his mental health, and he started to develop anxiety and low self-esteem.

Similarly, 15-year-old Aisha struggled with skin tone issues. She felt pressured to achieve a fairer complexion, just like the celebrities she admired on social media. She started using skin-lightening products, which had severe side-effects on her skin.

Especially Snapchat streaks can be a source of stress for early adolescents. The pressure to maintain these streaks, fuels by frequent notifications and friend emojis, can create feelings of anxiety and social pressure. This can be particularly daunting for young users, who may feel compelled to keep up appearances and avoid losing their streaks.

The fear of missing out (FOMO) and the constant need for online validation can exacerbate these issues. Children may feel compelled to present a perfect online image, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness.

As parents, it's essential to be aware of these issues and take proactive steps to protect our children.

Parents should monitor social media usage and set boundaries, encourage positive body image and self-acceptance, foster a healthy relationship with food and exercise, engage in open and honest conversations with their child and seek professional help if they suspect body image issues or other related problems

By promoting positive body image and self-acceptance, we can help our children develop a healthy relationship with themselves and the world around them. Let's work together to create a safe and supportive environment for our children to grow and thrive.