The Impact of Social Media on Young People
Think about the first thing you do after waking up. For many young people, it is not brushing their teeth or having breakfast. It is reaching for the phone. A quick look at Instagram turns into a few reels, then a couple of messages, maybe a YouTube video—and before you know it, twenty minutes have disappeared. Familiar? Social media has become such a normal part of everyday life that it is sometimes difficult to imagine a time when staying connected did not mean being online all the time. Platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and X have completely changed the way young people communicate and consume information. With just a few taps, a student in Delhi can follow a journalist in Mumbai, learn photography from a creator in another country, or discover a new skill from someone they may never meet in real life. At the same time, social media gives young people a space to express themselves. They can share their opinions, showcase their talents, document their lives and connect w...