Teenage is a very sensitive phase of our lives where we all want to look good and be accepted by society. Unfortunately, today this pressure is no longer just from classmates or relatives; it’s coming from YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

This heartbreaking incident from Tamil Nadu has left many of us in shock.  A 17-year-old boy from Kanyakumari, Saktheeswaran, passed away after drinking only juice for nearly three months. He saw a video online that showed he could lose weight by being on a juice-only diet. He completely stopped intake of solid food and stuck to a juice diet and all this without consulting any doctor or nutritionist. 

What Happened To Saktheeswaran?

On July 24, he complained of uneasiness and difficulty in breathing. His family rushed him to the hospital, but it was too late. He was declared dead on arrival.

That’s where the family mentioned his juice diet and also opened up about his inferiority complex about his body. He wanted to lose weight. He wanted to look good.

Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. A similar case was reported in Kerala about a few months back, where another teen suffered serious health issues after following a detox diet and no need to mention, social media was the culprit.

So what’s going wrong?

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Why Are Teens Falling for Social Media  Trends? 

The internet is full of people claiming to be experts. The so called fitness gurus promote extreme diets that aren’t backed by science. The dramatic before-and-after pictures make the kids believe in them. 

But our bodies are not built for shortcuts. It needs a balanced diet and more importantly, time. Nothing will happen overnight.  

Teenagers are vulnerable. Their bodies are still growing. Not providing essential nutrients can lead to weakness. In some cases, it can also lead to serious health issues like organ damage. 

What Can Parents Do About It?

Start early. Don’t wait for your child to get 18; such conversations need to start as early as 10. 

Talk about health in terms of energy and strength, and explain to them it’s not just how it looks. 

Normalize All Body Types at Home

Avoid feeling bad your looks or body image in front of your child. Kids pick up on this. 

Watch for Silent Signs

Is your child suddenly skipping meals? Spending hours watching diet or fitness content online? Obsessing over calories or looking unusually tired or withdrawn? These could be red flags. Check in gently. And all this without judging them.

Along with parents, schools also need to educate teens about nutrition and the dangers of blindly following online advice. 

It's high time we realise, social media is not real.  The fake filters are proof and lets not put our lives in danger because of it.