The Risks of the Digital World

The unlimited opportunities of the digital world come accompanied by an equal amount of risks, especially for the young

Corina Cristea, 10.04.2026, 11:54

From communication and education to entertainment and socializing, the digital world offers unlimited opportunities. However, these come with a number of serious risks, especially for children and teenagers. Spending long periods of time online can lead to emotional and social problems, with the impact on mental health being one of the negative effects of excessive use of digital media. Social media platforms often create an idealized image of life, where people showcase only their happy moments and successes, and constant comparison can lead to lower self-esteem, a feeling of inadequacy, and, over time, anxiety or even depression. Especially among young people, the need for validation through likes and comments can become overwhelming. In addition to emotional issues, the digital environment also hides numerous dangers related to online scams. These can take various forms, from fake messages to fraudulent websites, from fictitious contests to people pretending to be someone else. And users, especially young and inexperienced ones, can easily fall victim to these practices.

Silvia Bogdan, president of the non-profit association “Şcoala de Valori” (School of Values”, which offers pre-university students and teachers experiences aimed at unlearning dysfunctional beliefs and behaviours, told us:

“Young people’s presence on the internet has its good side, but there are things that are not so good, given that they are not taught or necessarily guided to understand what the dangers are and how they can protect themselves, while at the same time understanding how they can contribute to, let’s say, a social and community-based protection. It is clear that the way information is disseminated on social media, primarily, but also the emergence of artificial intelligence, pose significant challenges for parents, teachers, of course, and students alike; and in this context, we believe there should be an educational platform that allows students to understand how they can integrate digital technology and artificial intelligence into their lives, but from the perspective of democratic values and ethics.”

We must not overlook the phenomenon of cyberbullying, which is becoming increasingly widespread. Online harassment can have devastating effects on victims, causing stress, fear, or even long-term trauma. And unlike traditional bullying, online bullying can occur at any time, without pause, leaving the victim with no safe space to retreat to. The situation is all the more concerning when we consider the age at which children begin using the internet and social media. Recent studies show that, in Romania, children come into contact with the digital environment as early as age five—an age at which they lack the ability to understand the risks they are exposed to and cannot distinguish between safe and dangerous content. Silvia Bogdan (track):

“When it comes to younger children, it’s clear that, unfortunately, they encounter bullying—both in society and in kindergarten and school—as well as cyberbullying online; and, as such, I believe it is important to start as early as kindergarten to enrol them in programs that help them use this ability to socialize in a context where they understand, first and foremost, the importance of personal well-being and then of the prosperity of the group they belong to and the way they learn and live their lives, so that they understand the importance of bullying and cyberbullying from this perspective—that what bothers them should not be carried over into the community and toward their peers.”

Another major risk is technology addiction. Time spent online can quickly become excessive, affecting sleep, academic performance, and social relationships. Children and adolescents may come to prefer virtual interactions over real-life ones, leading to isolation and difficulties in developing social skills. Furthermore, constant screen time can affect physical health, causing vision problems or a sedentary lifestyle. Despite these risks, the digital world can be an extremely valuable tool if used responsibly. And digital education plays an essential role in this regard. Children must be taught from an early age how to navigate the internet safely, how to protect their personal data, and how to recognize dangerous situations. Once again, Silvia Bogdan:

“Generational traits come into play; they are much more sociable, much more pragmatic, and have a keen sense of how to seek out and analyse information, but not necessarily in a context where they understand all the dangers and risks they expose themselves to by rushing into challenges that appear on various channels, especially from the perspective of the groups they belong to. In other words, we all know that there are social media channels which, unfortunately, feature various challenges where many children, preteens, and teenagers, in particular, try to act cool and end up harming themselves or causing various damages to the society and communities in which they live.”

An important role in this process falls, on the one hand, to parents, who must be involved, monitor their children’s online activity, and set clear limits on screen time, and, on the other hand, schools, which, by introducing digital education courses, can help children learn not only how to use technology but also how to protect themselves from its risks. (MI)