Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the silent battles many young people are fighting online. We often talk about cyberbullying, comparison or screen time, but one topic that hardly ever comes up is Explicit video addiction on social media.
Let’s be honest, Social media today isn’t just about funny memes of dance challenges. A few scroll TikTok, Instagram, X( Twitter), or Facebook, and you’ll come across videos that are far from innocent. Some are subtle, others are direct, and for many young people, curiosity quickly turns into a habit that’s hard to break.
It Often Starts Small
It might begin as a one-time click, maybe out of curiosity, boredom or peer pressure. But social media’s algorithm doesn’t forget. Once you engage with a post, it keeps feeding you more. Before long, you’re caught in a loop. Constantly seeking that thrill or stimulation from what you see online.
What many don’t realize is that this can quietly grow into an addiction, a behavioural cycle that affects how you think, feel and even relate to others. It’s not just about watching explicit content; it’s about what happens to your mind afterward. Some young people start losing focus in school. Others feel anxious, guilty or even lonely. And because of shame or fear of judgment, they keep it all inside.
The Hidden Impact on Mental Health
Addiction to explicit videos might not leave physical scars but the emotional scars run deep. Over time, it can distort how people view relationships, intimacy and self-worth. Young men might struggle with emotional detachment or unrealistic expectations. On the side of young women, they might start comparing their bodies or behavior to what they see online. Many begin to believe that love, beauty or confidence must look like what trends online, forgetting that what’s shown is often staged, filtered and far reality. The result? Low self-esteem, anxiety and emotional disconnection. And the worst part, most people never realize that their pain is linked to their online habits.
The Need to Talk about it
There is a need to voice out; no matter how it makes us, because sweeping this under the rug only feeds shame and shame fuels addiction.
Parents, teachers, religious leaders and community leaders all need to start talking about digital influence openly. We need to teach young people that curiosity isn’t something to be ashamed of, its something to be guided. They deserve safe spaces where they can ask questions, learn and heal without fear of judgment.
And as a society, we must start holding social media platforms accountable. Algorithms shouldn’t be designed to exploit young minds for engagement. There must be a stronger call for responsible content moderation and age-sensitive algorithms.
Let’s make Digital Wellness a Priority
One thing we should know is that young people are not “bad” for falling into this pattern: they’re human. They’re navigating a digital world that constantly tempts, pressures, and distracts them. Healing starts when we replace judgment with empathy, when we stop whispering and start talking loudly, lovingly, and truthfully.
If you’re reading this and you feel trapped by what you see online, please know this: you are not alone, and you can regain control.
Talk to trusted people.
Take a break.
Unfollow pages that don’t serve your peace.
Choose what nourishes your mind.
Our youth deserve to grow up in a world that values mental health as much as digital freedom. Let’s make it normal to talk about Behavioral Addictions.
Let’s make compassion louder than shame.
Maame Akua Kyerewah-Antwi