INTRODUCTION
Teenagers are increasingly becoming dependent on social media apps, spending significant portions of their day using them. This trend is concerning, as prolonged exposure to social media may expose them to age-inappropriate content. Although these apps have parental restrictions and age verification mechanisms, they often rely on users to self-declare their ages, which can be easily manipulated. This vulnerability can be exploited for financial gain or to pressure users into complying with malicious demands. Teenagers, in particular, are susceptible to these tactics due to their limited awareness of online scams. Their lack of experience and knowledge about online safety makes them easy targets for such threats.
However, despite the efforts of parental guidance and parental control, the potential risks to teenagers’ privacy and well-being on social media cannot be eliminated, especially given their tendency to share personal details online. Social media addiction, online predators, and the spread of misinformation are additional concerns that need to be addressed. In the long term, excessive social media use may lead to decreased attention span, increased insecurity, or believing in false news to achieve something easily and other unintended consequences. Therefore, it is essential to develop effective strategies to protect teenagers from the potential harms of social media while promoting healthy online behaviours.
The Challenges of Teenagers on Social Media
Excessive social media use has been linked to negative impacts on teenagers’ mental health, including increased anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues. Cyberbullying and online harassment have become universal, further aggravating these problems. Parents, educators, and peers play a crucial role in guiding teenagers’ social media use.
Teenagers increasingly rely on social media platforms for communication, expression, and social interaction. However, this engagement raises serious privacy concerns. Most adolescents are unaware of the extent to which their personal data is collected, analysed, and stored. Information ranging from browsing patterns to location details is continuously tracked, creating risks of misuse.
A significant issue is the tendency to overshare. Teenagers often disclose photographs, personal information, and real-time updates without fully considering the potential consequences. Such disclosures can lead to cyberbullying, stalking, and identity theft. Privacy settings, though available, are often neglected or too complex to navigate effectively, leaving accounts exposed to exploitation.
Equally concerning is the misconception of temporary content. Platforms such as Snapchat or Instagram promote the idea of disappearing media; however, screenshots, digital archives, and data recovery demonstrate that such content rarely vanishes permanently. This creates a false sense of security among users, particularly vulnerable teenagers.
Ultimately, the problem is structural as well as individual. While teenagers must be educated about responsible digital behaviour, platforms also carry the responsibility of ensuring transparency and safeguarding young users’ data. Protecting teenage privacy on social media is not merely a technical issue but a matter of long-term security and well-being.
LAWS USED IN INDIA
1) Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act)
[11](v)- Anyone who uses or threatens to use, real or fabricated images or videos, showing any part of the body of a child or involvement of a child in a sexual act is said to be sexual harassment.
[11] (vi)- Tempting or inviting a child to be used in pornographic content is said to be sexual harassment.
[12] If the above-mentioned sexual harassment happens, then the predator can be imprisoned for up to 3 years and shall also be liable to a fine.
2) Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act)
Section 66C – Anyone who steals someone else’s identity or fraudulently uses someone else’s unique identification with the intention of deceiving that person shall be liable to Imprisonment for up to 3 years, along with a fine of 1 Lakh.
Section 66D – Punishes those who impersonate as another person or hack into someone else’s account with the intention of deceiving him shall be liable to Imprisonment for up to 3 years along with a fine of 1 Lakh.
Section 67B – Prohibits publishing images or videos of a child being depicted in a sexually explicit act, transmitting those photos, or browsing CSAM.
IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021- Makes social media platforms remove any harmful content immediately and provides redressal, and ensures safeguards for young users.
3) Indian Penal Code / Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
[IPC] Sections 419 & 420/[BNS] Section 318 & 319-Punishes anyone who cheats by impersonation or commits online fraud.
4) NCPCR E-Box (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights
This platform was explicitly made for young users to report sexual abuse or cybercrime, which will be dealt with directly and with confidentially. It is aimed to provide timely action under the law.
Case laws
Ms. X. V/S State & Ors. (Delhi High Court, 2020)
A 16-year-old girl, Ms. X, was in a relationship with her boyfriend, who exhibited controlling behaviour, including constant phone monitoring. He allegedly coerced her into sharing intimate photos, threatening to harm himself if she refused. After the relationship ended, Ms. X relocated abroad for studies, but her ex-partner continued to harass her, culminating in a murder attempt. After finally involving authorities, her intimate photos as a minor were publicly released on various social media platforms. The court ultimately ruled in her favour, ordering the removal of the content.
Conclusion
Social media platforms have become central to communication, yet their security measures remain deeply inadequate. Weak privacy settings, ineffective monitoring, and profit-driven algorithms expose users to cyberbullying, fraud, exploitation, and constant data misuse. These apps must move beyond token safeguards and adopt stricter systems, stronger encryption, verified age checks, along with rapid removal of harmful content, and transparent grievance redressal. Safety must be built into their design, only then does it become a truly trusted and safe platform.
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