In March 2024, Youth Out Loud! members met to discuss their feelings and concerns about social media and talk about how they can stay safe online.

What did Youth Out Loud! members have to say about social media?

One of the big concerns for Youth Out Loud! members is that social media is still very new. Parents and guardians don’t understand the experiences of young people on social media, which makes it difficult to look to them for advice and support.

There is a lot of pressure on young people from their friends and peers to always stay in contact, reply quickly and keep ‘streaks’ going. ‘Streaks’ on apps like Snapchat count the number of days in a row that you shared a photo or message with a contact. Some apps also pressure users to always be connected and available. BeReal is an app that asks its users to share a photo of where they are when they get a notification at a random time in the day. If you do not share your photo in time, you lose your streak and can’t post for the day. These apps encourage their users to always be connected, always available, and always responsive. The social pressure to maintain contact makes it especially difficult for young people to take a break, set boundaries with their phones and remove themselves from the digital world.

Youth Out Loud! members talked about how the content that young people see online can change their behaviours and feelings. They discussed cyber-bullying and the way some users use online platforms to share negative comments and behave in ways that are deliberately meant to upset or provoke others. The group also talked about the impact of online content on body image, and how seeing curated photos of other people’s lives and bodies leaves them comparing themselves negatively.

The impact of influencers was also raised. Members shared stories of their peers getting into physical fights over celebrity-endorsed products, or repeating toxic views that they picked up from influencers. Fake news and deceptive content were also a concern, with new tools making it easier than ever to fake something quickly. This leaves young people not knowing who or what to trust, and makes them feel they have to be constantly guarded against misinformation.

When young people are experiencing difficulties in their own lives, they found that the negativity often followed them online, meaning they don’t get a break. If someone is picking on them at school, there’s no respite at home when they can keep up their bullying through social media. This dynamic is something most parents have not had to experience, and if they did, it was most likely not while growing up, so young people don’t always feel like they can turn to adults.

Members of Youth Out Loud! spoke about how the ping of their phone often pulls them out of something they are enjoying or from focusing on a task. There was also discussion about parents not understanding the implications of their own online activity, particularly sharing pictures of young people online that anyone can see.

Youth Out Loud!’s tips for staying safe online

Think about what you’re posting

• Remember everyone can see it. Once you have posted something, it’s out in the world and can’t be taken back.
• Do not share personal information. You don’t know who will be able to see what you post. Don’t share your full name, address, location, or information that could identify where you live, your school, or your schedule.
• Think about how what you post will make someone else feel. Is it a kind thing to say?

Look after your health

• Be careful with screen time. It is easy to spend hours on social media scrolling without realising. Or a mix of telly, social media, internet, and gaming can lead to lots of screen time and not a lot of physical activity.
• Do not compare yourself to others, especially influencers.
• Do not use your phone before going to bed. Being on your phone before bed can distract you, keep your mind active and stop you from being able to relax or fall asleep.
• Be comfortable setting boundaries with friends. It can feel overwhelming to have to reply to every message or notification, and young people can put pressure on each other to keep replying. Make sure you get time away from your screen and get good sleep.
• Do not share your live location, especially if away on holiday.
• ‘Be in the moment ’; you do not need to be online, reply or post all the time. Engage in the thing you are supposed to be doing.

Stay safe

• Keep accounts private. If you want to have a public account, get support from someone you trust to help you stay safe.
• Only accept friends you know.
• Be careful with what you watch. Not everything is as it seems. Some things are meant to upset you and encourage dangerous behaviour. Report this content and speak to someone you are comfortable talking to. 
• If someone you care for posts something you are worried about, reach out to them.
• If someone behaves in a way that is mean-spirited or makes you uncomfortable, disengage. Report their behaviour and speak to an adult you trust about what they did and how it made you feel.
• Remember you don’t have to be on social media. Join social media because you want to, not because you are trying to fit in.
• Always remember you can disengage, report and block somebody for their behaviour.

For more tips and information about staying safe online, you can visit the NSPCC, Young Minds, Getting it on, Childline, and Get Safe Online.