How does social media really shape young minds? At the recent community outreach programme by the Sakhi Perambur cohort, 300 students came together to explore how social media influences confidence, communication, and well-being. A lively mime performance used humour to show how online habits affect everyday life — fun, engaging, and deeply meaningful. Students then discussed how to stay safe online and use social media more mindfully. One of the participants shared: “I learned how to manage private and public accounts safely and how to avoid messages from strangers on social media. I also understood which apps are dangerous and unnecessary to use. From now on, I will avoid using unwanted apps and keep my social media accounts private.” THAILA U Mahalakshmi. M #digital #awareness #adolescents #community

Spice It Up! In early 2025, there were 22.9 million Instagram users in the Philippines, representing 19.6% of the total population. It’s not just about posting pretty photos. Engagement is what keeps your community alive. Here are 3 simple tips to make your Instagram more engaging. #SEAWaveAndSpice #SpiceItUp

Brands that serve the younger side of the demographic are eager to understand Gen Alpha, kids under 14 (often the children of millennials) who will soon be entering their prime teen years. PacSun has tapped a youth advisory council that includes both Gen Z and Alpha members, some with millions of followers on TikTok and Instagram, and others with smaller platforms. They’ve driven social commerce for the brand, turning products like its Casey jean into hits with one viral video. PacSun has pledged to bring these youth advisors into the decision-making process—tapping them for insight into their audiences and PacSun’s customer base. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eZqdZ8Rv

“We already know our consumer.” Every time I hear that, I cringe a little. It’s the corporate version of a tía who thinks she knows everything about your life. Here’s the truth: Knowing your audience five years ago doesn’t mean you know them today. Gen Z moves fast. Parents shift priorities overnight. Culture evolves at Wi-Fi speed — in memes, TikToks, and WhatsApp voice notes. Yet somehow, some decks are still describing “María, 28, likes family and music.” That’s not an insight. That’s nostalgia. The smartest marketers I know are the ones who say: “I don’t know them anymore — let’s listen again.” Because data gives you demographics. But humility? That gives you relevance.

🚨 Case Study: Instagram Safety Mode for Teens Social media isn’t just fun anymore — for many teens, it’s becoming overwhelming and even unsafe. Teen users on Instagram are increasingly exposed to adult content, harassment, and the mental strain of endless scrolling. These experiences can lead to anxiety, depression, and trauma — not to mention the risk of addiction to screen time itself. To address this, I explored a feature idea: Instagram Safety Mode for Teens. Here’s how it could work 👇 🔹 Auto-Enabled for under-18 users — the mode turns on by default at signup. 🔹 Smart Content Filtering — blocks adult or flagged content using AI moderation. 🔹 Healthy Usage Nudges — gentle reminders to pause after long sessions or late-night activity. 🔹 Parental Oversight — parents can view activity insights or adjust restrictions through a linked dashboard. 🎯 Why this matters: Protecting young users builds trust, reduces exposure to harmful content, and supports healthier digital habits — all while strengthening Instagram’s brand reputation and user retention. What do you think — should Instagram implement something like this? 🤔 hashtag #ProductManagement #UXDesign #SocialImpact #SafetyByDesign #Instagram #Meta #CaseStudy #DigitalWellbeing #TeensOnline #AIForGood #PMLearning

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗸𝗧𝗼𝗸? I'm being told that I'm missing a trick as Tik Tok’s not just a Gen Z platform anymore and I should get on the TT bandwagon. I've been reluctant, as I was sticking to my guns that my main client demographic don't use it (I can be pretty stubborn, in case you didnt know 😂) but now I'm dabbling because there are some eye-opening stats I've been presented with: 😱In the UK, TikTok has around 24.8 million active users aged 18+ in early 2025. 😱Users aged 45-54 make up about 12.9% of UK TikTok’s audience. 😱For the 55+ bracket, it’s approximately 11.4% of the UK user base. 😱Overall, over 40% of TikTok users in the UK are aged 35+, signalling that older demographics are increasingly engaged. 𝗦𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗶𝗸𝗧𝗼𝗸? ✅If yes : What type of content do you find most valuable or enjoyable? ❌If not: What’s holding you back — format, perception, time? Let’s discuss the real value of TikTok beyond the stereotypes and hype which, hands up, I've fallen victim to believing. Your experiences matter and will help me shape my marketing strategy ongoing!

Instagram adds Reels Watch History feature Instagram has introduced a new Watch History option for Reels, letting users revisit videos watched in the last 30 days. The tool allows filtering by date or creator for easier rediscovery. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri confirmed the update, which mirrors TikTok’s history feature.

A poll by Ofcom revealed that 63% of children aged 8-11 are using social media, with that number increasing to 92% among children aged 12-15. Unfortunately, this widespread access has been shown to negatively affect users' mental health and self-esteem, leading to issues such as comparing themselves to unrealistic influencers and encountering inappropriate content. The Tellmi app provides a pre-moderated environment, ensuring user safety through our trained human moderators, who assess risk and determine the necessity of counsellor intervention. This creates a much safer space for children to openly discuss their issues. For more information on how Tellmi offers young people a safe environment to access help, read our blog post: https://lnkd.in/edGjGJdT or contact us at info@tellmi.help to learn more #ScrollSafe First Steps ED

The TikTok competition between Adonay and Yuti Nass has sparked arguments and harsh words among fans. With even Sefiu on EBS getting involved, the rivalry is creating divisions and encouraging disrespectful speech online. Despite this, the trend shows the power of Gen Z in Ethiopia. Young people are creating, sharing, and influencing content like never before, opening opportunities for marketing, business, and community growth. It’s a reminder that talent and creativity can turn online energy into real value for our economy.

Social media was supposed to connect us. Instead, it’s quietly disconnecting an entire generation. For the first time, Gen Z the generation that grew up entirely online is starting to walk away from social media. Not because they don’t care about connection but because they’re tired of comparison, burnout, and fake perfection. From MySpace and MSN to TikTok and AI-generated feeds, this is the story of how we lost authenticity and what parents and creators can do to bring it back. I break it down in our new video: “Social Media Is DESTROYING Gen Z! | What Can Parents & Creators Do?” Link in the comments would love your thoughts after watching.