What Parents & Educators Need to Know About TikTok & Instagram Reels
February 20, 2025
| I discuss TikTok and Instagram Reels at all of my trainings because they are more than just entertainment platforms—they are spaces where youth can easily be exposed to sexualized content, mature themes, and risky behaviors done in pursuit of likes. While these apps offer creative expression and community engagement, they also pose significant risks that parents, educators, and counselors need to be aware of. Why These Platforms Are a Concern: Social Comparison & Self-Esteem Issues: Teens are constantly comparing themselves to unrealistic beauty and lifestyle standards, which can lead to anxiety and depression. Addictive Scrolling Habits: Algorithms keep users engaged for hours, often at the expense of sleep, school performance, and real-world interactions. Exposure to Inappropriate & Risky Content: Many videos glamorize dangerous challenges, hypersexualization, eating disorders, and even self-harm behaviors—content that is easily accessible despite moderation efforts. What You Can Do to Help: ✅ Start the Conversation: Ask your child what they’re watching and discuss content together. Open dialogue builds awareness and critical thinking. ✅ Set Healthy Boundaries: Encourage screen time limits and device-free times, such as during meals and before bed. ✅ Teach Digital Literacy: Remind teens that social media is not reality—it’s a curated highlight reel designed to manipulate engagement. ✅ Monitor & Guide Their Experience: Use parental controls and explore the platform yourself to see what content your teen may be exposed to. ✅ Don’t Trust App Ratings Alone: Just because an app is rated 12+ doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for a 12-year-old. TikTok and Instagram contain explicit content, harmful trends, and unmoderated comment sections. Review apps independently through resources like Common Sense Media. These conversations and boundaries help protect kids from harmful online influences while still allowing them to engage with digital spaces in a healthier way. For a deeper dive into the mental health effects of social media, check out this American Psychological Association article on minimizing Instagram’s impact on teens. Let’s keep working together to help youth navigate social media safely! ~Ryan |