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This warning follows a troubling investigation that found teenagers are being exposed to disturbing content. According to the UNICEF Teens Online Behaviour Survey, around 62% have been exposed to harmful content including hate speech and violent imagery while 60% have seen violent/gory content online.

One of the teenagers affected is a TikTok user from Clayfield, further underscoring the relevance of this issue for local families. This incident has sparked conversations among parents about the dangers of unsupervised social media use.

“While greater responsibility from governments is key, all decision makers, including those in the ICT sector, parents and teachers, need to listen to young people so that their views can be incorporated into policies, strategies and programmes,” said Cornelius Williams, Associate Director & Global Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF.

“Efforts to tackle online sexual abuse and exploitation are more effective when children’s opinions and perspectives are included, and this helps guarantee young people can take full advantage of the benefits the Internet offers

Since its launch in 2018, TikTok has taken the world by storm, becoming one of the fastest-growing social media platforms globally, with over 1 billion downloads. Its algorithm is designed to keep users engaged, presenting a continuous stream of captivating content that can quickly draw in young users. 

As concerns about the psychological effects of social media continue to grow, researchers and child psychologists are increasingly alarmed by the findings. Studies indicate a troubling correlation between social media usage and rising rates of depression, self-harm, and suicide among teenagers.

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In these challenging times, community awareness and parental involvement can make a significant difference in safeguarding the mental health of children. As this situation develops, local families are reminded to prioritise supervision and open communication regarding their children’s interactions with social media platforms like TikTok.

Published 4-November-2024

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