They’re Not Just Scrolling – They’re Slipping Away

If you’ve ever looked at your kid glued to a screen and thought something about this isn’t right, you’re not wrong.

The Netflix series Adolescence brings that unsettling feeling into sharp focus. It follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the murder of a female classmate after being exposed to misogynistic online material and subjected to cyberbullying. The series delves into the dark corners of the internet that many adults are unaware of, highlighting how online radicalisation can have devastating real-world consequences.

The numbers are alarming.

Let’s start with South Africa.

• Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for teenagers in this country.

• 9% of all teen deaths are suicides.

• Up to 20% of high school learners have attempted suicide over the past ten years.

And it’s not just about general mental health. When you dig into what’s driving this, social media keeps showing up.

• In Buffalo City, 84% of young adults said they believe social media is contributing to rising suicide rates.

• One study showed that cyberbullying is more likely to lead to suicide attempts than face-to-face bullying.

• A 10-year study found that girls as young as 13 who spend 2–3 hours a day on social media are significantly more likely to attempt suicide later in life.

Think about that. Just a couple of hours a day scrolling through what seems like harmless content… and it’s rewriting the way these kids see themselves, each other, and their place in the world.

Some kids are at even higher risk

Girls are getting hit hardest, especially when it comes to body image and social comparison. The filters, the constant feedback loops, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) messages about worthiness and appearance… it’s relentless.

LGBTQ+ teens are up to four times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, often because of the kind of online hate and isolation that social media makes easier to spread.

This isn’t a tech problem. It’s a safety problem.

The issue isn’t just that they’re using phones. It’s that no one’s showing them how to navigate a digital world that’s way more dangerous than you think.

Algorithms are feeding vulnerable teens content that pushes them further into despair. Online bullies aren’t just classmates anymore, they’re strangers with anonymous accounts and zero consequences. Validation is measured in views, silence feels like invisibility and when the pressure gets too much, many of them don’t tell anyone. They just… check out.

Would you want help with this?

We’re considering building a short, practical online course (ironic, I know) for teens and their parents on how to stay safe online, the kind of course that actually speaks their language and teaches them:

• How to recognise red flags and harmful online communities

• What to do when bullying or harassment happens

• How to set boundaries and protect their mental health

• And how to stay connected to real-world support