Now, in a digitalized world, teenagers often spend more than five hours a day on social media apps. After the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, social media platforms like Discord, Instagram, and TikTok seemed to gain mass popularity and have only spiraled further into uniting children with strangers, often creating dangerous situations.

The internet creates a web for people of all ages to connect, and has shifted focus from meeting new people to teaching children not to interact with strangers. 48% of teens ages eight to seventeen have reported connecting with strangers online, and 33% have stated they have been speaking with someone who turned out to be a catfish. 

With easy access to identity changes online, it’s often difficult to really know whether someone is being honest about their background. 

“I’ve seen countless videos of people catching all sorts of predators who disguise themselves on the internet,” junior Fabrizio Alcazar Fonseca adds. “It really makes you think about safety, [for] you never know who’s behind that screen.”

Although the perceived dangers of social media may heighten people’s fear, studies have shown that minors can build beneficial relationships through digital platforms. Bruckmann C’s (2025) study shows that nearly 40% of Americans now have online-only friendships, a trend even more pronounced among teenagers.

While social media remains a vast space for people to socialize, it still lacks barriers to limit communication between people of different ages.

Unlike schools or community spaces, online platforms often rely on self-reported ages and small verifications. This will often create an opportunity for easy manipulation and exploitation, especially when teens are unaware of warning signs or feel pressured to maintain online relationships.

Studies on in-person socialization show that using the internet excessively to communicate with others can also impact real-life communication skills. Spending large amounts of time behind a screen may limit opportunities to develop confidence, body language awareness, and face-to-face conflict resolution. 

Oftentimes, it’s noticed that being “shielded” by a screen can make it easier to avoid uncomfortable conversations, but it can also create barriers when forming relationships in person.

Many teenagers find value in their online relationships when they approach them with caution and trust. However, after teens are educated on digital safety, they are more likely to recognize unhealthy dynamics and step away before harm occurs. 

Rather than discouraging all online interaction, experts emphasize teaching responsible engagement, allowing virtual relationships to exist in a way that prioritizes emotional and physical safety.

“Online relationships can be risky at times, for even after multiple FaceTime calls, you never know if it’s really them,” says junior Justin Bonilla. “Although, as long as there’s trust, safety, and it’s healthy, a screen shouldn’t hold you back from finding the one.”