LOGGING OFF

Social media is losing its appeal for kids, say s Kate

I’ve noticed an interesting trend emerging at our kids’ schools – a backlash against social media. And not just from teachers, but from the kids themselves. Many are realising much of the anxiety that they feel, or their inability to switch off and relax, is due to an addiction to social media.

They’re also finding much of it is toxic. When you think “toxic”, your mind goes straight to trolls and bullies – but much of the toxicity kids are finding on social media is just the opposite. It’s the overwhelming download of perfectly curated lives, bodies, faces, homes, clothes ... you name it. It’s the filtered “everything’s perfect” spam they’re having their minds filled with daily. If you’ve ever followed a Kardashian on Instagram, you’ll know what I mean.

So the backlash is on for authenticity, real talk, real bodies and real faces. And trust me, they are few and far between on social media. Some “woke” celebrities have dipped their toes into this realm by posting before and after-style photos, captioning the glam one “Insta Me” and the unmade-up, messy one “Real Me”. It’s a start.

The toxic nature of social media for kids – especially teens – also arises in the comments section or with the numbers of likes and followers. It becomes an unhealthy obsession. I wonder if girls are more prone to this than boys as they tend to follow make-up tutorials, fashion brands and models, while boys generally just follow their mates. But with the schools now talking about it, the conversation is open.

Teachers are discussing ways to deal with the virtual world and they’re making kids take responsibility for how much they expose themselves to it. They’re encouraged to manage what they allow and don’t allow into their heads, to manage their time online and to know when to quit.

Many of our kids’ friends have deleted their Instagram accounts or taken themselves off social media altogether. They find it too time-sapping and it often leaves them feeling blah. They see through the façade of impossible perfection and just want to have experiences that are real.

The toxicity isn’t just felt by kids either. Cardi B recently deactivated her Instagram account after she became the first solo female artist in history to snag Best Rap Album. She received so much hate from people saying she shouldn’t have won that she was left shocked at the vitriol on what’s supposed to be a “social” platform.

And isn’t that the rub? Social media, designed to bring us together in a virtual global community, has turned out to be some of the most antisocial places out there. If we can at least educate our kids that they’re in charge of what they put out there and what they allow into their own heads, then we may help them navigate the online world a little bit better.