As young people become increasingly reliant on social media to learn, build, maintain relationships, and express themselves, the recent dialogue, hosted by Thusong Youth Centre (TYC) on Wednesday, revealed impacts of social media that parents often miss.

The dialogue revealed that social media exposes young people to risks such as exploitation and lifestyle pressures, among others.

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TYC co-ordinator and dialogue facilitator Thumeka Joos said the dialogue sought to highlight the potentially harmful impact of the increasing use of social media among young people, and give the community a platform to discuss solutions.

Reflecting on the challenges, TYC’s programmes manager Chris Ndlovu noted how unmonitored use of social media often exposes young people to a myriad of exploitative offers on the platform, such as older persons soliciting sexual favours in exchange for money. He stressed that this has the potential to lure young people into traps, as they are promised financial favours at an age where finances are a real concern in their lives.

@caxtonjoburgnorth Watch: Lovelife groundbreaker Lehlohonolo Tshabalala speaks about the services they offer every Wednesday at Thusong Youth Centre. #Alex #lovelife ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

LoveLife’s Mpho Rivers said the impact is far-reaching, especially for young women who often follow lifestyle influencers and regularly consume their content. She said the pressure to live that life often leads some to aspire to the same lifestyles, inadvertently putting pressure on those who cannot afford similar lifestyles.

Other participants shared concerns about social media platforms being increasingly used to lure financially desperate young women into prostitution.

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What is more perturbing is the constant pursuit of engagement on these platforms. Ndlovu said this leads some women into creating obscene content, because people engage with it more. “When you post bible verses or motivational things, people do not even share it.” He added that this has become concerning, as people now make money based on engagements with their posts.

However, the dialogue did not only focus on problems; it also explored possible solutions. Ndlovu called for parents to supervise children’s use of social media, and the internet as a whole.

Meanwhile, Joos emphasised the need to raise awareness among both girls and boys in schools, but more especially boys. “We have a problem of boys now. The boys are out of control, because we focused a lot on girls. Some need parental guidance, because they do not have it at home.”

@caxtonjoburgnorth Thusong Youth Centre’s coordinator and dialogue facilitator, Thumeka Joos, says they saw it fit to focus the discussion on the negative impact of social media on young people and come up with solutions. Video: Itumeleng Maloka #caxtonlocalmedia #News #Community #Localnews #2026 #johannesburg #Fyp #SA #Alexnews #Alex #Gomora ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Rivers called for collaboration, noting that organisations need to adopt schools.

“We need to partner with them and give [learners] information. We need to include the student governing bodies and the parents. Let’s tell parents that their learners are exposed.”

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