The media plays an essential role in shaping opinions, forming lifestyles, and influencing identities. However, risky behaviours highlighted in media, especially when detailed extensively on headlines, websites, or TV shows, can lead to inappropriate imitation among young people. Why does this happen?
The search for role models begins during childhood but intensifies as teenagers strive to shape their identity and values. Many adolescents look up to figures they admire, appreciate and feel they can learn from. For some children, especially those feeling excluded by peers or struggling with friendships, the online world becomes a sanctuary, where they seek inspiration from people they don’t know personally. When discussing this topic, adolescents mainly list their parents as role models first, followed by public figures. While role models can guide young people toward positive growth, mimicking them entirely risks overshadowing an individual’s potential. The fact that children and young people have someone in their environment to look up to, who can impart “healthy” values and behaviours, provides them with the opportunity for a happier and more fulfilling life.
Children, due to their developmental stage (physical brain development), often lack the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate the media they consume online an in the real world. They take content they consume at face value, which is a great potential risk. We, as adults, have more experience and understand the potential consequences of certain actions. While there may be things we don’t know, it is crucial to approach them with caution. By fostering media literacy and modelling healthy online behaviours, adults can help children navigate digital spaces safely and responsibly.
A common question arises about the appropriate age to address online safety, with recent studies even examining parents’ use of digital technologies before a child is born. Research has shown that various family-related factors significantly influence children’s and adolescents’ future technology use.
Regarding content created on social media platforms, we will highlight some positive and negative examples. Positive examples found in practice include:
- Encouraging creativity and self-expression.
- Respecting differences among individuals.
- Avoiding criticism and promoting healthy discussions without engaging in conflicts.
- Highlighting positive communication on their channel / in their content.
- Sharing interests and hobbies that are age-appropriate.
- Encouraging participation in outdoor activities and socializing with peers in real life.
- Displaying authentic daily routines.
- Without heavy editing and filters.
- Advising followers to seek professional help for serious issues, rather than relying on influencers for solutions.
- Promoting healthy habits and lifestyles.
Conversely, certain types of content can send harmful messages, such as:
- Emphasizing consumerism, like excessive purchases (e.g., flaunting numerous outfits or similar).
- Encouraging dangerous or harmful challenges, particularly those that may lead to injuries or even death.
- Advocating excessive screen time, such as promoting gaming practice sessions spanning several hours.
- Including harmful substances in content, such as alcohol, cigarettes, or unhealthy food, either explicitly or in the background.
Research in Croatia (Foretić et al., 2009) has shown that children often prefer screen-based activities over physical play, spending an average of two hours more on screens than engaging in active games.
We are witnessing the fact that children today (including some of the parents) often spend their time online playing games, missing out on face-to-face contact. This trend contributes to a lack of face-to-face interactions, often resulting in feelings of loneliness—a significant risk factor for addiction and other mental health issues.
In conclusion, it can be said that the media won’t disappear and that we will always have to worry about their influence on children. Children learn significantly through modelling—imitating adults based on what they observe—often without the model’s conscious intent or awareness of the behaviours being transmitted.
It is always recommended to talk openly about online behaviour and explain your actions behind the screen. Help children understand that not everything they see online reflects reality. If children become victims of cyberbullying or face mental health challenges, they should be encouraged to seek professional help. You should avoid minimizing these issues or offering advice that suggests children handle the situation on their own. Instead, should guide children to consult with parents, and/or professionals (Safer Internet Centre, schools, police, etc.)
Media literacy is one of the most effective ways to counteract the potential negative effects of media. Educational initiatives should aim to empower children and young people with the skills needed to engage with media responsibly and to critically evaluate the content they encounter. It is ultimately the responsibility of adults to be aware of how their behaviour influences children.
Works Cited:
Foretić, N., Rodek, S., Mihaljević, D. (2009). Utjecaj medija na fizičku inaktivnost djece. Školski Vjesnik, 58(4), 381–397.