Adolescence in Digital age: Navigating online challenges and perils

The growing influence of internet on teenagers

In today's digital world, the internet is a powerful tool in shaping how adolescents understand themselves, relationships and the world around them. From harmful online communities to exposure to explicit content, early digital exposure is affecting the mental and emotional well-being of youngsters.

Adolescence, a series recently released on Netflix, explores the complexities teenagers face as they navigate identity, relationships, and the digital world. This digital landscape, often uncontrolled and misunderstood, influences their perceptions of relationships, sexuality, and self-worth, drawing a comparison between fiction and the challenges today’s youth face online.

In recent years, the internet has become a significant part of not just adults but also of adolescent lives in India, with nearly 50 pc of children having access to mobile phones and the internet by the age of 13.

This increased digital exposure has contributed to a range of consequences, especially in terms of how young people form their understanding of sexuality and relationships.

While the internet provides numerous educational and entertainment resources, it also exposes adolescents to harmful content, including explicit material and extreme online communities.

A particularly concerning trend is the rise of the ‘manosphere’, an online ecosystem of communities promoting misogynistic views, anti-feminism, and often harmful attitudes toward women. Such communities influence young men by encouraging negative perceptions of gender equality, glorifying toxic masculinity and promoting hostility toward women.

“Online communities like the ‘manosphere’ often offer a sense of belonging, identity, and validation especially to adolescents who feel isolated, misunderstood, or marginalised. These platforms use persuasive language, memes, and emotionally charged narratives that simplify complex issues and direct blame, often toward women or society at large, making it easy for vulnerable teens to latch on,” Ritansha Grover, a teacher and counsellor based in Delhi tells Media India Group.

“For adolescents struggling with self-esteem, identity or peer rejection, such communities can feel like safe havens that ‘understand their pain’. However, rather than offering genuine support or growth, these spaces often reinforce toxic worldviews, increase hostility, and perpetuate distorted gender norms, potentially leading to increased anger, depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal,” she adds.

The negative consequences of this digital exposure also impact adolescents’ mental and emotional health. Studies show that over 42 pc of teenagers in India have encountered adult content online, with a significant portion accessing this material daily.

This early exposure can distort their perceptions of healthy relationships and sexual intimacy, leading to feelings of inadequacy, confusion, and isolation. The internet’s anonymity further enables cyberbullying, harassment, and even sexual exploitation, all of which have devastating effects on self-esteem and emotional well-being. In some instances, these online spaces can lead to tragic outcomes.

An example of this influence is the case which involved a  17-year-old boy in Mumbai, who was detained for hacking into the Instagram account of a 13 year-old-girl and circulating morphed pictures of two other teenage girls. The accused, residing in the same neighbourhood, exploited his access to the girl’s account to defame her and her friends.

McAfee Corp, an American cybersecurity company  published a report in August 2024 which reveals that 85 pc of children in India have been a victim of cyberbullying, the highest in any of the countries surveyed. About 45 pc acknowledged cyberbullying a stranger, while 48 pc confessed they cyberbullied someone they know.

Lack of parental supervision

One of the biggest challenges is that many parents are unaware or uninformed about the extent of their children’s digital exposure. A survey by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) revealed that only 30 pc of Indian parents monitor their children’s online activity regularly.

Most parents are not equipped with the knowledge or resources to understand the content their children are accessing. Additionally, many still view the internet as a safe space for their children to engage with, unaware of the risks posed by harmful online communities.

“I try to stay as informed as possible about the online platforms used by my children, but it is tough. It is too big a world for me to comprehend. However, I generally try to help them understand the long-term effect of their actions. Sometimes they feel I am trying to police them but then I try to help them learn how to make right decisions,” Deepti Sachdeva, a teacher based in Delhi, tells Media India Group.

Parents’ lack of awareness is made worse by how quickly digital spaces are growing, with children and teenagers often knowing more about technology than their parents. This digital divide, combined with a lack of open discussions about online safety, leaves children vulnerable to various dangers.

“As parents, I believe we should be more friendly in approach. We must open conversations about irrelevant content, and how to handle uncomfortable online situations. Let our kids know that we care for them and wish to support them. Provide them with a comfort zone,” says Sachdeva.