We all know social media isn’t going anywhere. It’s where teenagers (and adults!) connect, escape, scroll, and share. It’s built into how we live, especially for the younger generation.

But behind the funny memes and trending dances, something darker is bubbling up. We’re seeing rising anxiety, depression, body image issues, and in some heartbreaking cases, lives lost.

And the hard truth is, no one’s got a grip on it.

The Stats Don’t Lie, And They’re Getting Worse

A recent WHO report shows a pretty sharp jump in problematic social media use among teens across Europe, from 7% to 11% in just a few years. Girls are even more affected than boys, with 13% showing signs of dependency and emotional distress linked to their time online.

This isn’t just “too much screen time.” It’s a growing pattern of compulsive behaviour, poor sleep, toxic comparison, and exposure to disturbing content that algorithms keep pushing, no matter how young the user is.

Let’s Talk About Molly

Molly Russell was just 14 when she died by suicide in 2017, after being shown endless content on self-harm, depression, and suicide by Instagram’s algorithm. Her death was a heartbreaking tragedy - not just for her family, but for all of us, because it showed what can happen when a vulnerable mind is left alone with a machine that doesn’t know when to stop.

Molly was someone’s daughter, someone’s friend, someone’s everything. And she’s not the only one, unfortunately.

In Germany, France and the UK, cases are emerging where parents are taking legal action against platforms, accusing them of knowingly exposing their children to harmful content. And yet, no major social media company has been held legally accountable. Not really.

So… Who’s Responsible?

That’s the part no one wants to touch.

Platforms blame parents. Parents blame platforms. Politicians blame Big Tech. Big Tech points to “user responsibility.” And round and round we go, while more teenagers spiral in silence.

Everyone’s pointing fingers, and no one’s being held to account. The platforms are still profiting from attention, regardless of what kind of content keeps users hooked.

This is a justice issue as well as a digital wellbeing issue. Because when real, often irreversible harm happens, there should be consequences. Not just PR statements and vague promises of improvement.

What Needs to Change

There’s no easy fix, but here’s where we can start:

• Platforms must be legally accountable for the content they recommend and the impact of their algorithms, especially on underage users.

• Governments must stop relying on voluntary codes of conduct and pass real legislation with teeth.

• Schools, parents and communities need to make digital literacy and mental health part of everyday conversations with no judgment or panic

Let’s Not Forget, This Is a Security Problem Too.

Platforms harvest insane amounts of data on our kids (age, location, likes, chats, viewing habits), often without clear consent, sometimes from underage users, and rarely in ways that are truly transparent.

That data powers the algorithms that decide what shows up next in your feed, and for a vulnerable teen, that can mean being pulled into a spiral they can’t climb out of. Add to that the risks of grooming, cyberbullying, and identity theft, and we’re talking about serious online threats with real-world consequences.

This is why security and safety teams need a seat at the table when we talk about teenage wellbeing online. It’s not just about stronger passwords or filters. It’s about designing platforms that protect users by default, not just when someone ticks the right box.

So… What Now?

If you’re a parent, talk to your teen about their online life without judgment.

If you’re in tech, think about the systems you’re building. What are they encouraging? Who are they protecting?

If you’re a policymaker, stop asking platforms to “do better” and start making them.

This might feel like a black hole, but doing nothing is dangerous. Let’s not wait for another headline to remind us how high the stakes are.