You’ve probably seen videos of children in classrooms, reacting to pranks, answering questions, doing dance challenges, or teachers showing how their students are trying new teaching techniques. For years, this content has flooded social media platforms, often posted by teachers or schools on unofficial accounts, and these types of videos boast high view counts.

As of March 1, 2026, China has made some new changes regarding posting minors on social media. New regulations put together by eight departments, including the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), have jointly issued the Measures for Classification of Online Information That May Affect the Physical and Mental Health of Minors. For parents, understanding these rules is the first step toward ensuring your child’s rights are protected.

The primary four types of content that will no longer be allowed include:

1. Staged or Scripted Content: Creating fake classroom scenarios that promote inappropriate values or behavior.
2. Commercial Exploitation: Using a child’s image to market products or services.
3. Mocking or Bullying: Editing or presenting content in a way that makes fun of a student for online attention.
4. Undisclosed “Tests”: Recording students without their knowledge to test their honesty or character for entertainment.

Content creators will no longer be able to operate in the gray area where consent can be assumed if the parent or guardian doesn’t object. Starting March 1, if you want to post such content, the compliant approach would be to obtain consent from the other child’s parent before posting, or to blur or otherwise make the other child unrecognizable in the video.

The new law applies to all forms of online publication, including WeChat Moments, class-specific Douyin accounts, and even photo essays shared in parent-teacher groups.

What This Means for Your Child’s School

The new measures do not ban schools from taking or sharing photos altogether. Instead, they mandate a more transparent and consent-based process.

Schools are now expected to establish clear internal policies on the use of student images and to obtain explicit, informed parental consent before publishing any content featuring a child. The use of the kids’ images will strictly be for the purposes outlined in that consent and cannot be used for other purposes, even by the same institution. In other words, if you give consent for your child’s photo to be used for their school’s back-to-school content, they can’t use it again for a summer camp promotion without your consent again.

For parents, this means the vague photo consent form buried in a back-to-school packet is no longer sufficient. You should expect to see formal consent forms (同意书) that specify exactly how your child’s image will be used, whether for internal records, a school website, or a class yearbook.

Your Rights as a Parent

Under the new framework, consent is not a blanket authorization. If you sign a form allowing your child’s photo to appear in a classroom activity summary, that same image cannot later be used in a teacher’s personal social media content or to promote a commercial product. The scope of use must match the scope of your agreement.

You also have the right to request previews of any images before they are published, even in private class groups, withdraw consent at any time, and report violations if you believe your child’s image is being used improperly.

“Twenty years ago, we suddenly got access to cameras in our pockets + multiple platforms where we can share them. It didn’t take long after that for family bloggers to transition into vloggers, and at the same time (early 2010s), pranks evolved into the much more disturbing challenge subculture now infamous among creators like MrBeast. Filming strangers in public to ridicule them slowly became normalized through the twenty-tweens, and as we saw more kids in “real” situations online (+ reality TV shows pervading our streams), we lost more than any sense of privacy for our kids along the way. We lost respect for them. I see this every day, coaching families through media and digital literacy tools; often, the first step is to break down that veil of permissiveness we’ve defaulted to.” says Cindy Marie Jenkins*. “This specific issue with the use of minors’ images in classrooms springs from that lack of respect and quickly pushes into removing their consent for their entire identity.
People like me who became parents around this time: many were and still are not very careful, many pulled back on posting as kids got older, some were always cautious, and everywhere in between.”

Why the Rules Exist

The regulations are a response to years of unregulated “campus content” that blurred the line between documentation and entertainment. Videos that portrayed classrooms as stages for comedy or drama created unrealistic expectations and, in some cases, subjected children to online scrutiny without their knowledge or consent.

“Our spectrum of sharing, or “sharenting,” should evolve as we learn more about how companies store and sell our data as well. And I know that personally or professionally, whenever there’s a digital footprint tied to my child’s school and schooling, I get uncomfortable and need to ask questions.” adds Jenkins.

So what about your own social media platform that has absolutely nothing to do with school? What if you post a video of your child playing with another kid they just met on the playground? The regulations do not explicitly create an exception for “incidental” or “background” appearances of minors. The language is broad: any display of a minor’s image that could identify them requires consent from their 监护人 (guardian). If you do end up posting a video where someone else’s child is clearly visible, technically, you’re in violation if you didn’t get the other child’s parents’ consent. If the video is reported, the platform may be required to remove it, and you may face potential consequences depending on the content of the video.

*Cindy Marie Jenkins watches YouTube so you don’t have to. Her digital literacy library and advice at OutThinkMedia.com have been featured in BBC Culture, Good Housekeeping, Jingkids Intl, National Geographic, and more .Since leaving Beijing in 2021, she helms Communications for an arts consulting firm and continues her love of education through counseling international students through their college application journey.

Images: FreePik

If you’re reading this, then you must be a fan of our WeChat account and website. But did you know we have multiple other social media accounts you can follow to keep up to date with all things you need to know to live your best family life in Beijing?

From WeChat to Instagram to our relatively new RED account, no matter what social media platform you’re using, you’ll be sure to find us!

Jingkids WeChat

The best way to keep up to date with family-related info in Beijing is through our WeChat account. This is where you can get the same great content from our website plus additional articles, videos, and more. To follow us on WeChat, just search “beijing-kids” or scan the QR code.

Jingkids WeChat Channel

Along with our official WeChat account, we also have a WeChat channel where you can find family friendly Beijing-related content in a quick, easy-to-digest video format. From after-school activities and places for weekend fun with the family to international school interviews, be sure to give our WeChat channel a follow!

Instagram

Get snapshots of family life in Beijing both through photos and videos. You can follow us on Instagram by scanning the QR code below.

Facebook

Like and follow us for regular content, community conversations, and quick access to our latest stories. Great for expats, new and old, who like to scroll while sipping their coffee. You can follow us on Facebook by scanning the QR code below.

RED

We recently launched an official jingkids RED, aka Xiaohongshu, account for those who are active on Chinese social media or who perhaps are one of the many #tiktokrefugees who have joined the platform. You can follow our account by scanning the QR code below.

Jingkids Chinese

Jingkids Chinese focuses on international education in Beijing. Its mission is to help families navigate the international education scene smoothly and productively. To follow them on WeChat, just search “菁kids北京.”

Jingkids Shanghai Chinese

This account focuses on international education in Shanghai and has been going since 2014. To follow them on WeChat, just search “菁kids上海.”

Jingkids International Shanghai

The latest addition to the jingkids family, jingkids International Shanghai is a guide for expat families on how to make the most of their life in Shanghai by sharing family-friendly weekly events and lifestyle guides. To follow them on WeChat, just search “JingkidsSH.”

Along with our English and Chinese jingkids accounts, we also have a range of more family-focused accounts under our sister brand the Beijinger, and you can see more about those below.

The Beijinger 

The best way to keep up to date with all things Beijinger-realted is through our official WeChat account, where you can get the same great content from our website plus additional articles, videos, and more. To follow us on WeChat, just search “theBeijinger.”

The Beijinger Chinese

In 2019, we launched the Beijinger Chinese, which publishes its own unique set of content in Chinese for the local audience with a passion for what’s new and cool in the city. If you’re a foreigner eager to practice your Chinese and keep up-to-date with the latest trends, then this is also a great account to follow. To follow them on WeChat, just search “theBeijinger中文版.”

Coolax

This Shanghai-based WeChat account gives you a succinct wrap-up of weekly events and exciting burger offers in the city, along with all your must-know info for our annual Shanghai Juicy Burger Fest. To follow them on WeChat, just search “Coolax 酷乐翻啦.”

If you’re not following these account yet, be sure to give them a follow so you can keep up to date with all the latest news wherever you are!

READ: WeChat Groups 101: Finding Your Beijing Crew

Images: Pexels, theBeijinger, jingkids

That wave of #TikTokRefugees on Xiaohongshu was a phenomenon. Although many have left the platform and returned to TikTok, there’s now a larger English-speaking community on the app than ever before. And we’re part of it!

We at jingkids have joined in on the fun as well, and whether you’re a parent looking for ways to boost your child’s English skills from an early age or a student aiming to improve your language proficiency, there’s something for everyone.

So, don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to enhance your English skills and family lifestyle. Follow jingkids International on Xiaohongshu for fun short videos and family-friendly content.

Images: jingkids

As our society grows increasingly reliant on technology, we may find it playing a role in new and unexpected facets of life. There was a time when photoshopping, for example, came onto the social media scene and received jokes and criticism from people who believed it was a form of deception. Nowadays, simple editing of images can be completely undetectable by untrained eyes, and filters have progressed from smoothening faces to making someone look like an entirely new person. Live streaming in China is growing increasingly popular, with services such as Douyu (斗鱼 dòu yú) averaging 163.9 million users per year.

A particular case regarding that site that caught the attention of many was when popular streamer Qiao Biluo’s video filter glitched in the middle of her stream, revealing her to be a middle-aged woman instead of the young girl the filter made her appear. Following the revelation, Chinese netizens who were not following her previously deemed those who had given her cash gifts to be “gullible” and “superficial.” At the same time, many of her followers unfollowed her after the incident.

While some could see the case as just a funny mishap, it also reveals how many influencers are not what they seem. The issue lies in not only how these filters could be used to deceive supporters but in the creation of unrealistic beauty standards for the viewers. Those who may not recognize that many influencers have altered their features (as the current technology can be seamless and difficult to detect) may believe that the look is realistic and attainable for any person. In the words of a Beijing student, this will “mass spread [unrealistic beauty standards]to a lot of people, especially young girls, who will feel the pressure to look like that.” Beauty standards differ all over the world and even within countries. Depending on the region, many people may find many different looks beautiful. However, in the online community, there appears to be a particular face and body type that prevails.

The most popular idea of beauty for women mainly includes big doe eyes, pale white skin, a pointed chin, and a small nose. For the body, long legs, and a tiny waist. As Beijing student, Tina Cui succinctly describes, “Social media in China spreads a very unhealthy beauty standard of being extremely skinny and extremely pale.” Some women may have these features naturally, but many will go to great lengths to achieve this look of idealized beauty. Plastic surgery is one possible method, but those not willing to go to such great lengths can simply use the countless photo and video filters at their disposal. These filters can make their eyes larger, giving a look that is beautiful to some but may bear an uncanny resemblance to scary doll eyes to others. But perhaps the most dangerous result of these beauty standards is the “extremely skinny” body type, which can lead “many young women and even girls [to]starve themselves or try dangerous procedures to become skinnier, sacrificing their health.” For some body types, this is possible to do with a safe diet and some exercise. For others, it is not.

When consuming so many forms of media that depict this particular look as ideal, viewers who look different may experience lower self-esteem. I experienced  this myself. In my younger teenage years, I noticed my tanned skin, small eyes, and big nose more than ever. Though I never spent much time on Chinese social media, mainly because they were blocked on my phone, its influence was incredibly difficult to avoid. It came up when my roommate at summer camp put stickers onto her eyelids in order to have double eyelids, thus teaching me that my mono lids were considered undesirable. It happened with the makeup artist who painted my face so pale she had to apply whitening cream all along my neck and arms so they would match. As I grew older, I realized that everyone had specific standards of beauty, and they could have been influenced by what they saw online or simply what they thought looked nice. I also learned that it was fine to have different standards of beauty.

On social media platforms, the most popular idea of beauty will prevail. “It sets unrealistic standards and demands that individuals to validate the way they look through the no. of likes and comments they receive,” says Beijing student Kannika Mehrotra, “[it]portrays the idealistic version and creates the urge in the users to follow the ‘same trend.’” Because of this, there is not much opportunity for diversity or deviation from the most popular standard of beauty, as those who do not follow the standard will not be as famous. However, it is not to say that we should eliminate the most widespread beauty standard. In some cases, it can be toxic, but to condemn it creates the caveat of saying that those who are naturally pale, skinny, and have big eyes are not beautiful, which is also unhealthy. Instead, the way to go is for audiences to recognize that not everything they see online is natural and authentic and for social media platforms to promote different types of beauty or even body neutrality.

Body neutrality involves accepting your body for the life functions it performs and having neither a positive nor negative opinion of it. The idea of body neutrality is incredibly challenging to implement because of the huge role beauty plays in the society we live in today, whether it comes to makeup product brands or casting in film and television. For now, body positivity is a good compromise. Social media platforms can also “provide a certain degree of diversity in allowing different people to demonstrate their beauty,” as Tina Cui states, “it can be a place to share different kinds of beauty and creativity, but that often causes negative and toxic comments.” The propagation of the current standard of beauty can be challenging to alter. Still, by including different forms of beauty and different looks and body types, social media can even be a way to showcase different perceptions of beauty. Through this, more and more people can feel more confident in their unique styles and less alone in their insecurities. Though we have a long way to go, there is still hope for social media to eventually become a positive and inclusive place.

Images: Pexels

This article appeared in the jingkids 2022 Teen Takeover issue

July is 31 midnights in a jewel jar. It shines in summer brighter than fall. Then in August, wake-up call. Here and there crepitates a high school student, who can run from September, but only so far.
Many parents are cultivating their children’s elite education around international schools in Beijing, deeming it the golden arc to a golden future. Every family loves a dream child, and Rory Gilmore from the early-oughts TV series Gilmore Girls encapsulates her perfectly: The valedictorian of a crème-de-la-crème high school, admired by a sweet, soft-spoken town, chosen by Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and aspiring to be revered journalist, Christianne Amanpour.     

Rory’s school life was warmer than the first cups of coffee in autumn. In contrast, real school life is colder than a vacant diner tucked under November and rougher than tree bark peeling off the harshest winters. Here is an analytical guide to becoming Rory Gilmore in Beijing’s international schools.

A familiar term, popularity, rings a familiar pride. It prizes academic acuity and good-natured charm. It begins with “friends,” which is fancier parlance for “co-workers,” whose jobs may be popularity, intelligence, or kindness depending on personal character. Typically, when it comes to exchanging knowledge the old adage that opposites attract rings just as true. We favor those we can learn from, and repel those we are like. In other words, we despise those we compete with. This causes co-workers who harbor similar interests to share for show and fight in stealth.

When selecting co-workers, Rory utilizes her good grades, carefully chosen extracurriculars, and personality. 

A little chessboard always lived in Rory. Good grades are her indispensable but unfavorable king. Most students earn good grades, so the awe and applause become apathy and normalcy, an intellectual tax, an IQ tease. Yet, if she loses her good grades, she loses the game. She would be labeled stupid or lazy, and neither seems popular. 

Extracurricular activities are her queen’s gambit. All of her classmates learn an instrument, an art, a sport, a second language, and a superfluous community service with coffee heads and sour eyes. The misconception for Rory is that “skill” equates “drill” – the trophies, certificates, and insensitivity. Instead, education favors the statuesque over the ornate, it values passion, insight, and authenticity. 

Finally, Rory’s queen, dictating the gambit and flanking the king, is her temperament. Rory is diligent, reliable, and flexible – the congenial co-worker. She is also convivial, innocent, and full of book-smart humor – the girl-next-door and girl-genius. Ultimately, Rory’s finest talent is prying beneath the exterior of others, no matter how rough or tough, to reach their warmest and kindest core. She sees the best in the worst of times, finds the truth in the worst of lies, all when no one else does. Such splendors of personality even extend the grandeur of good grades, they manufacture a lovely friend. 

Despite Rory’s strengths, she also embodies the quintessential flaws of Millennial and Gen-Z students. As an only child from the upper-middle class, Rory is entitled, sensitive toward criticism, somewhat judgmental, and opportunistic. Here is her lesson: Confidence is not arrogance, intelligence is not indolence, and perseverance is not intransigence.

Such mistakes destined Rory’s downfall in adulthood, wrinkling her childhood dream. She finally reckoned that popularity and acuity in high school, Ivy League, or even The New York Times, is only a shadow, not a substance. Consequently, Rory is a cautionary tale for all gifted children, who lean on the crutch of academic instruction and always do what’s asked of them when real life requires much more personal growth. With the Gilmore Girls, all students will stumble through their blessed and cursed generation. 

KEEP READING: Hello K-Pop Archetypes, Meet C-Pop Clones!

Images: Pinterest, Pexels 

How many of us have heard that when moving to China, you must install a VPN on all of your devices in order to survive? Well, I’m here to tell you that it just ain’t true. From texting and stalking celebrities to watching funny cat videos and binging all your favorite TV shows (yes, even the overseas ones), the following apps developed right here in China have got you covered.

#1 iQIYI

If you haven’t heard of this one then you’ve been living under a rock, big time. iQIYI is basically the Chinese Netflix. Televised entertainment from all over the world can be viewed on this platform. Aside from the biggest American movies, iQIYI has reality shows, comedy shows, all the popular K-dramas, J-dramas etc. It supports multiple screens and allows you to watch content anytime. While some shows require an iQIYI membership, most of the movies and TV dramas are free. Even if the show you want to watch requires purchasing a membership, it’s only RMB 20 (USD 3) a month, which is cheaper than Netflix by USD 7. 

#2 NetEase Cloud Music

NetEase Cloud Music is the most popular music app in China, and it’s not hard to see why. Artists from all over the world post their music and albums on NetEase. Like Spotify, you’re able to follow other users and artists. But with NetEase, you’re able to post videos of your own, look at performance videos and music videos from your idols, and favorite, like, and comment on those videos. You’re also able to post a “status” by re-sharing another post, sharing a song track or album, or by posting your own music covers. What better way to enjoy music than by listening, sharing, and creating!

#3 Bilibili

Here in China, there’s the Chinese version of YouTube. Bilibili has billons of funny videos, make-up tutorials, gaming videos, restaurant and store reviews, and celebrity performances. Similar to YouTube, you can make your own account and post videos, comment under others people’s videos, like and share other videos, and track your subscriber count. To register as an official member, you’ll have to take a 100-question quiz and go through Real Name Verification to prove you’re a real human. However, if you think the fuss is too much, you’re still able to surf the site and watch videos without an account. 

#4 Sina Weibo

Weibo is China’s hottest Twitter-like social network. With trending topics, different hashtags, and the ability to follow others, Weibo gives you access to the world and its celebrities. You’re able to post images and videos, comment under other people’s posts, like posts, share posts, and send messages to other users. Like Twitter, there is a “followers” count and a “following” count. In addition to its active users, the site hosts over 400 million business pages, and many celebrities who do not speak Chinese use the site to reach out to their Chinese fanbase. You’re free to stalk celebrities from all over the world and join fan clubs as well.

#5 Pumpkin Movie (Nan Gua Dian Ying)

This is another alternative app for the all-time favorite Netflix. Pumpkin Movie allows you to watch any movie that has been released on Netflix, and even has movies available on their platform before they’re available at your local cinemas. What better way to watch the newest hit TV shows from the comfort of your own couch. To gain access to all the TV shows, movies, and dramas, you must have a membership, and Pumpkin Movie gives you a one-month free-trial by subscribing to it with your phone number. When your trial is up, you’ll need to pay RMB 8 (USD 1.24) per month to access the platform, which is cheaper than Netflix by almost USD 9!

#6 RenRen Video

RenRen is a video sharing platform that includes dramas and TV shows from all around the world. With different genres of videos, varying from stand-up comedy to horror films, you’ll definitely find something up your alley. You’re able to watch videos and write comments without purchasing a membership. However, some TV shows and K-dramas (containing graphic scenes) require a membership to unlock the series. The membership is RMB 9 per month and will also turn off ads, give you the ability to turn off comments, and upgrade your video resolution. There are also yearly memberships and discounts available on the platform that changes from time to time.

So there you go, entertainment apps you can access without a VPN to maximize your leisure time in China. Happy binging!

KEEP READING: “Choosing a College Is Like Dating,” and Other Insights From Graduate Summit 2021

Images: Unsplash

My hometown is Beijing, a city of extreme diversity. I grew up here and was raised by my grandmother, who spent most of her life in a traditional Beijing community. However, I have been familiar with all kinds of culture in our city. For the past few years, I have seen Beijing grow and watched how traditions developed and adapted to new ideas as it became more tolerant of the difference between people.

The general lifestyle became modernized. I remember when I was young, people would ride bicycles around, speak with a distinct Beijing accent, and ate mostly food from Beijing. However, as the country develops, Beijing is influenced by international values. Being the capital city, it was one of the first places in China to be more “modern”. Imported products started being sold, and technology and inventions such as smartphones and cars became common. As transportation improved, people from around the country started coming to Beijing in search of better opportunities, and as we have more people from outside the city, the old residents slowly became the minority.

Aside from our daily life, some local traditions have changed as well. Out of all the changes, the most significant difference would be our celebrations of festivals. Several years ago, every family I knew would stay in Beijing and spend their holidays the traditional way, especially during Chinese New Year. However, with the developed technology, people can visit their families easier and more often, and festivals stopped being the only chances for a family reunion. Due to this development, people nowadays are adapting to new ways of celebrating. Families no longer spend every holiday at home, and most people would choose to use the time to travel and explore someplace new. Even those who choose to stay in Beijing are opting to celebrate the holiday in fancy restaurants instead of staying at home for a traditional family dinner.

Sometimes it seems like we’re in the process of losing our culture, but that can’t be further from the truth. The younger generation is very appreciative of the traditions and is adapting the new ideas to the traditions – making it our own. Examples can be how people started wearing traditional Chinese clothing and are sharing their thoughts on fashion through the internet. Famous sites in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City, have also developed new ways to raise awareness by creating TV shows about ancient artifacts or developing products that apply to daily life but are also symbols of the old culture. People are also willing to share their cultures through social media on platforms like TikTok. The new technology and social media have helped spread the appreciation of our traditions.

Overall, Beijing is a highly developed city where new technology and ideas are common. On the other hand, Beijing is also one of the oldest cities in China and has significant traditions and cultures. Even though the old and new values might clash with each other, Beijing, being highly tolerant of diversity, managed to balance both kinds of lifestyles and kept traditions while accepting new thoughts. The city has shown us how one does not have to blindly follow all traditions or only adapt to modernized things, and how finding a place in between will result in more diversity and open-mindedness.

KEEP READING: Home and Away; Helping Third Culture Kids Readjust to Life Back in China

Images: Pexels

This article is part of beijingkids’ Teen Correspondents program. If you or a teen you know want to write for us, email editor@beijing-kids.com.

These days, social media is an inseparable part of our lives. Teens spend most, if not all, of their spare hours on social media, constantly receiving massive amounts of influence on their perceptions, opinions, and behavior.

One of the dark sides of today’s teens’ excessive media usage is that it oppresses personal beauty standards and creates an unhealthy body image.

Illustration by John Holcroft

As a teen myself, I have been experiencing and dealing with this issue for a long time. Often times, I find myself starving or working out to achieve the “perfect body” that a K-Pop star has. I see my friends showing up at school all wearing the same brands to follow the fashion trend. I hear students sharing information on the newest and popular beauty items, I know that almost every one of my friends considers photoshopping a necessary step before sending out pictures of themselves and I have friends in several schools that have already undergone cosmetic surgery. At some point, it became so obvious that all of the teens had almost identical beauty standards, and most try to pursue them in ways that are harmful both mentally and physically.

This realization also made me look at my own behavior. Gradually, I stopped changing myself in ways that I did not want. I stopped myself from posting the “beautified” versions of my pictures, I stopped starving myself to be skinny like a K-Pop idol, and I stopped buying makeup products that I knew were damaging my skin. Now I no longer had to feel guilty when I see comments that praised my good looks on my WeChat Moments presenting the delicately edited pictures, nor feel physically ill as a consequence of exercising while not eating.

Caring about oneself’s appearance is a positive behavior, as long as it exerts a positive impact on oneself as a whole. Once it harms one’s inner-self and the body, pursuing beauty turns into a detrimental action. Starting from now, focus on yourself a little bit. Not what social media says and not what others around you say. Beauty does not mean having big eyes, long legs, and a small waist, nor does it mean any other standards that society produces. As someone once said, “Be your own kind of beautiful.”

KEEP READING: A Teen’s Eye View on Social Media Safety

Images: John Holcroft, Her Campus

This article is part of beijingkids’ Teen Correspondents program. If you or a teen you know want to write for us, email editor@beijing-kids.com.

Our society is becoming closer to one where everyone is buried in their phones, scrolling through social media. It’s evident that social media has a huge impact on individuals and their lives. Some impacts are positive, but it’s been shown that social media has negatively affected things like our moods and stress levels. Personally, I always knew that social media had its pros and cons, but I stick to using it as a way to connect, share and learn. As a teen with a fervent passion for digital media and running social media campaigns, I also upload creative works frequently onto social media platforms, such as Bilibili, Weibo, Douyin, and Red. My life is heavily influenced by this powerful tool, but I wasn’t too worried because I believed that my presence on social media was mainly positively affecting my life.

What made me reconsider my use of social media was when I watched a documentary with my sisters called “The Social Dilemma” last year. To briefly summarize, the documentary talks about the advent of social media and how social media companies take advantage of users, especially teenagers. It focuses on how tech and social media companies manipulate their users by using algorithms that cause addiction to their platforms. The documentary exposes how companies like Facebook, Google, and Twitter damage society in order to both retain and gain users. There were multiple times while watching “The Social Dilemma” where I wanted to deactivate all my social media accounts. Indeed, it was an eye-opening documentary. I was shocked and frightened at what I learned, but I knew the importance of understanding how things we use every day work deep within and being aware of the issue surrounding this powerful tool in our world today. After watching it, I became more cautious when picking up my phone and often wondered whether I should be on social media. Because I was bothered by this, I started doing further research on social media, especially during the special period of Covid-19.

During the pandemic, social media was not only helping people interact and connect with family and friends. It was also a major source of entertainment. I’m sure that I wasn’t alone in feeling like I had less to do while restricted indoors; it saved many of us from boredom and loneliness. However, according to Suzin Wold’s September 2020 article “Covid-19 is changing how, why, and how much we’re using social media,” in Digital Commerce 360: “The majority of respondents agreed that their social media consumption (72%) and posting (43%) have increased during the pandemic.” Social media usage was increasing rapidly, but more time spent on social media means a bigger chance of cyberbullying, social anxiety, depression, and exposure to content that is not age-appropriate.

Increased social media usage can especially negatively impact teenagers. “Teens… have been comparing themselves more to their peers and have been deprioritizing healthy, in-person communication,” according to Neha Chaudhary, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in the 2020 Business Insider article “How Social Media Affects the Mental Health of Teenagers.” “What’s more is, from a mental health perspective, social media has introduced new risks: teens can now harm or be harmed by others online.”

Going on social media was also my method of staying updated on the latest news. Since many of the accounts I follow on Instagram posted the newest updates on the pandemic, I felt that being on Instagram was teaching me more about the situation in countries around the world. However, social media was undeniably contributing to the larger problem of misinformation. According to the June 2020 article “Facade of media and social media during Covid-19: A review” published in the International Journal of Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, “Mass media and social media platforms played a crucial role in providing information regarding the Coronavirus. Since little is known about Covid-19, various fake news, misinformation, and rumors spread across the digital media that panicked people into making panic decisions. The rapid spread of misinformation and stories via social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube became a vital concern of the government and public health authorities.”

The spread of misinformation is also leading to increased pressures and stress. An October 2020 study by Sandpiper Communications, which surveyed 1,226 Gen Zs across Asia Pacific to better understand how Covid-19 has affected the mental wellbeing of this age group, stated that “it is this flow of news and information [on social media]that has become a double-edged sword. The number of negative stories is cited by 61% as the main reason why social media has had a negative impact on their lives during the pandemic.”

Social media in the times of Covid-19 has been a blessing and a curse. So, how can we use social media more healthily?

• When using social media, try to tune in with yourself and decide what’s best for you. Be mindful of how you’re feeling when you’re using it; if it isn’t a great feeling, perhaps signing off would be the healthier choice.
• Another helpful tip is to take time off of social media, even if it’s just for one weekend. Social media is addictive, and you can end up losing track of the time you spend on it. Use it moderately, and you might also realize that you can do so much more in your free time when you stop constantly reaching for your phone and clicking into those social media apps.
• The last tip is to mute or block people who trigger you. Know that you can be in control of how your social media page affects you.

Your social media profile can highlight fun things about you, or help you tell stories about the world and who you are, but it is not more important than you. Not using or posting on social media doesn’t make you not exist.

KEEP READING: Just An App Away: Safety and Social Media Friendships

Images: Pexels

This article is part of beijingkids’ Teen Correspondents program. If you or a teen you know want to write for us, email editor@beijing-kids.com.