Fame-hungry teenagers risk exploitation on social media

Toronto: Teenagers are going to extreme lengths to grab attention on various social media platforms by uploading provocative selfies and videos, says a new study, suggesting that this hunger for fame has put them at the risk of online exploitation and bullying.

"When sharing becomes over-sharing and that becomes fame-craving and that becomes obsessive, then obviously we need to start asking why," Debbie Gordon, director of the Toronto-based Centennial College' Kids Research Centre, was quoted as saying in the Hamilton Spectator.

The obsession has also led teenagers to forget lessons about online privacy, the researchers noted.To reach this conclusion, Gordon and her team analysed users in the age bracket of 13-18 who were active on various social media platforms.

They found that some of the fame-hungry teenagers were posting provocative photos or videos on those platforms to grab instant attention.

Researchers also found celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, who have huge following and also post raunchy photos, are influencing the teenagers.

This online behaviour is pushing some teenagers to write abusive comments under photos, the team observed."It is time when parents need to learn about new platforms their kids are using," the researchers said.