Teens Encounter a Myriad of Problematic Content Online

Established in 2010 by Mashable – a leading website for online culture and tech news at the time – Social Media Day is celebrated annually on June 30 to recognize how social platforms have reshaped the way people connect and communicate across the globe. What began as a celebration of social media’s connecting power has also become a good opportunity to reflect more critically on the role these platforms play in everyday life.

This is particularly relevant when it comes to younger users. As social media has become nearly ubiquitous among children and teenagers, concerns about its impact, and calls for stricter regulation, are growing louder. While platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat are central to how young people socialize, they are also at the center of an ongoing debate: how to balance the benefits of digital connection with the risks that come with it?

According to a recent Euromonitor survey conducted on behalf of the European Commission, the risks young people face online come in many forms. From misinformation and AI-generated content to exposure to sexual or violent material and the promotion of unhealthy products, lifestyles or body images – teenagers are navigating a digital environment filled with content that most parents would try to keep them away from in offline settings. Yet, many turn a blind eye to the things happening online.

“Social media can connect and inspire. But when one in three young people say it leaves them feeling stressed, sad or excluded, we cannot ignore the impact on their mental health and wellbeing,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement released alongside the survey results. “And when a quarter of our young people are confronted with problematic content online, it is a clear signal that it is time for change.”

In response, policymakers in the EU and elsewhere are exploring stricter safeguards. Last year, the European Parliament proposed a minimum age of 16 for access to social media, video-sharing platforms and AI chatbots, while the EU is working on a bloc-wide age verification system.