Swipe, Scroll, Connect: Social Media's Impact on Adolescent Sexual Health and Behaviour

Social Media and Risky Sexual Behaviour

Abstract

Adolescents' social and emotional lives have been completely transformed by the rapid growth of social media, which has opened new avenues for relationship-building, communication, and identity development. At the same time, adolescent sexual views and behaviours have been increasingly influenced by digital platforms, which has led to serious concerns about sexual health and wellbeing. With a focus on risky sexual behaviours, sexting, exposure to sexually explicit information, cyber exploitation, and the normalizing of harmful online interactions, this viewpoint piece examines the complex relationship between social media use and teenage sexual health. The viewpoint goes on to show how adolescents' exposure to sexualized media and dangerous behavioural standards is increased by algorithm-driven content, peer validation, influencer culture, and internet addiction.  As a result, the article promotes a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to public health that incorporates psychosocial support, parental involvement, digital literacy, and culturally sensitive comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). To address the increasing digital determinants of adolescent sexual behaviour, schools, families, healthcare providers, and legislators must work together. It is imperative to strengthen offline protective contexts and provide adolescents with key digital decision-making skills to promote safer online involvement.