Over the weekend, I sat with a group of young people I mentor, brilliant minds I meet with twice every month. Ahead of our session, I had shared a 14-minute video on the dangers of social media. It explored how these platforms affect our ability to focus and retain information. It also exposed how the very same psychological tactics used in casinos to keep gamblers hooked are now used by tech companies to keep us endlessly scrolling.
Let me explain. Social media isn’t “free.” The platforms are funded by advertisers, and what’s being sold is your attention. The more time you spend, the more ads you see. and the more money the platform makes. In other words, you are the product.
Platforms are powered by algorithms that study your habits, likes, desires, and fears. They update your feed accordingly, keeping your phone on your mind and in your hand. They feed you what you want to see not always what you need to see. And it’s working. A study by Common Sense Media (2023) reported that teens spend an average of 8 hours and 39 minutes daily on screens for entertainment alone. That’s almost a full workday, every day.
At the end of our meeting, only a handful had actually watched the 14-minute video. I asked them why, and most said they didn’t have the time, weren’t interested, or thought it was too long. That’s ironic, isn’t it? We don’t have time for a 14-minute video that could change our lives, but we somehow have hours to scroll aimlessly.
What became clear is this: the phone is controlling them, not the other way around.
The Subtle Trap
The Bible in 1 Corinthians 6:12 says, “I will not be mastered by anything.” And yet here we are—being mastered by gadgets, notifications, and digital noise.
Let’s be honest: the enemy is strategic. If Satan can’t make you sin, he’ll distract you. Delay you. Derail you. He’ll fill your world with so much noise that you’ll forget your assignment.
He wants young people:
- Scrolling instead of building
- Comparing instead of creating
- Consuming instead of innovating
- Distracted instead of discovering
He’ll interfere with your ability to be present, to build healthy relationships, to be still, to read, and to think deeply. He’ll dull your hunger for the Word and your desire for purpose.
But not everything about social media is evil. Let’s be fair. These platforms have created job opportunities, grown businesses, sparked social change, and connected people globally. But young people must understand this: every platform has an agenda. Someone is investing. Someone is profiting. And if you’re not paying for the product; you are the product.
So, What Can You Do?
Here are five ways young people can take back control:
1. Audit Your Digital Habits
Start by tracking your screen time. Both Android and iPhone have built-in tools for this. Ask yourself: Where is my time going? What am I feeding my mind?
2. Curate Your Feed
Unfollow accounts that don’t inspire, educate, or align with your values. Your algorithm changes based on your choices. Train it to serve your growth, not your impulses.
3. Set Boundaries
Designate “no phone” times: during meals, devotion, or before bed. Apps like Freedom or Digital Wellbeing can help set limits.
4. Practice Digital Fasting
One day a week, disconnect. Read a book. Call a friend. Go for a walk without your phone. Be still. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Stillness is now a spiritual rebellion.
5. Use It, Don’t Let It Use You
Leverage social media to build your brand, spread truth, connect meaningfully, and share your God-given gifts. Be intentional. Don’t scroll mindlessly, show up purposefully.
I grew up in the 90s. We had no smartphones, no constant buzz in our pockets. And still we laughed, we played, we built things. I remember the joy of boredom gave birth to creativity. I wish that same freedom for this generation.
Young people, the bigger game is not on your phone. It’s in your calling, your relationships, your purpose. Social media is a tool, not your lifeline. The enemy wants you distracted because he fears your focus.
It’s time to take your power back.
Read Navigating the Digital World: A Call for Wisdom and Sobriety
Discover Tips to Keep You Focused While Taking an Online Course