Home / Education / PGI Chandigarh Tackles Teen Social Media Risks
PGI Chandigarh Tackles Teen Social Media Risks
11 Feb
Summary
- Adolescents learned about social media's impact on families.
- Session addressed social media's link to alcohol consumption.
- Risky sexual behavior risks online were discussed with students.
Researchers from PGI, Chandigarh, recently led a focused awareness initiative at Saarthak Government Integrated Model Senior Secondary School in Panchkula. The program aimed to promote safe and responsible social media use among adolescents.
This intervention was part of a multi-city trial funded by the ICMR, led by Dr. Tanvi Kiran. The study investigates how social media influences child-family dynamics, alcohol consumption, and sexual health in young people. Its goal is to create evidence-based strategies for promoting healthy digital behaviors.
The interactive session, attended by 113 students, moved beyond traditional lectures. Discussions centered on three critical themes: the impact of social media on family relationships, the normalization of adolescent alcohol consumption through online platforms, and social media's role in risky sexual behaviors.
Participants reflected on their digital habits and discussed online challenges. Practical strategies were shared, including setting screen-time boundaries, prioritizing real-life conversations, careful peer selection, and engaging in offline activities. The session also highlighted the health risks associated with alcohol and sexualized online content.
Educational posters developed by the PGI team were provided to the school for sustained reinforcement of key messages on digital addiction, underage drinking, online safety, and healthy boundaries. This initiative offers a scalable model for improving adolescent digital well-being.
