«At 14, I believed everything I saw on Tiktok»

Manyutha, 16, would only allow access to social media from the age of 16. Only then can young people use it responsibly. Before that, they are overwhelmed.
Text: Manyutha, 4th grade, Kantonsschule Wiedikon, Zurich

Image: Adobe Stock

Today's parents have not grown up with mobile phones and social media. So they can't clearly judge what is a good age to give children these devices and digital freedom. I think a mobile phone makes sense for children who are ten years old or older. But with severe restrictions.

At this age, it is enough to be able to make phone calls and send text messages. If there is a problem or a major delay, the child and parents should be able to contact each other. On the other hand, children need a certain level of maturity to deal with social media. By the age of 16, you start to understand how the whole thing works.

«At 14, I was very insecure and thought I wasn't beautiful,» says Manyutha.

Social media: problematic beauty ideals

Social media comes with certain expectations and peer pressure. One of my biggest concerns is the questionable beauty ideals. Children under the age of 16 can easily be influenced by them without realising it. It is very important that their self-image and self-esteem are not destroyed because they believe that you are only beautiful if you look like this.

When you are 16 or older, you have a better understanding of yourself and can deal with it more easily. You have a better grip on your emotions than a ten-year-old child. Puberty also plays a big role here. Nowadays, 12- and 13-year-old children look much older than they actually are because they see things on the internet and believe, for example, that you have to look older and dress a certain way to be «beautiful».

Children are not good at dealing with nasty criticism. They are quick to believe what others say about them.

Manyutha, high school student

I myself downloaded social media such as Instagram and Tiktok when I was 14. In hindsight, I think I could have waited. I was still very immature at the time and believed everything I saw. I was very insecure and thought I wasn't beautiful just because I didn't meet certain beauty standards. Now, on the other hand, I'm much better at making judgements. Social media has less and less control over me.

Protect children from cyberbullying

Another problem is cyberbullying. Children are not good at dealing with nasty criticism. They are quick to believe what others say about them, even if they hide behind anonymous profiles.

There are a lot of children these days who are suicidal because they feel so bad because of the opinions of others. Even at 16 or 17, you shouldn't have to experience that. At this age, however, you are mature enough to recognise mean and derogatory comments and not really take them seriously. You then understand that the opinion of a third person you don't even know counts for nothing.

From my experience, I can say that it is important to protect children from this and only give them digital freedom when they are mature enough to deal with such issues. There are other problems such as addiction or mobile phone addiction, but it also depends a lot on self-control and in this case I think 16 or 17 is a good age to download social media apps.