Is Your Child Listening? The Hidden Dangers in Popular Music and Online Trends

Last Updated on 3rd October 2024

Reading Time: 5 mins

Published: December 20, 2024

In today’s digital world, children are constantly exposed to a vast array of online content, some of which may be inappropriate or even harmful. This article explores the potential dangers of popular music and accompanying online trends, and provides important information for parents, carers, and safeguarding professionals to educate, empower and protect children and young people.

The Darker Side of Music: Understanding the Risks

Many popular artists delve into complex and challenging themes such as body image, relationships and substance use. Although these can be relatable or even aspirational for young people, they can be damaging to their perspective on sensitive topics.

How this type of content can negatively impact children:

Emotional Distress: Themes of abuse, violence, or dysfunctional relationships can be frightening and emotionally distressing for young people, potentially leading to anxiety or other emotional problems.
Distorted Perceptions: Songs that portray unhealthy relationships, obsessive behaviours, or harmful coping mechanisms can normalise these dynamics, potentially influencing children and young people’s understanding of relationships and behaviours.
Body Image Issues: Music and videos that focus heavily on idealised beauty standards, body modification, or disordered eating can contribute to negative self-esteem and body image issues in young people.
Desensitisation to Violence: Graphic imagery or lyrics that depict violence, self-harm, or suicide can desensitise children to these issues, affecting their empathy towards others and understanding of the seriousness of them.
Misinterpretation of Lyrics: Children and young people may misinterpret complex metaphors, symbolism, or dark humour in music, leading to misunderstandings and potentially harmful conclusions about sensitive topics.

Although it may seem that the issues lie only within the music, it expands further into the online space. Social media often shares and depicts visualisations of an artist’s music through viral trends, dances or challenges. These can often encourage risky behaviours or push harmful ideologies.

The Melanie Martinez Phenomenon

Melanie Martinez, a popular artist among teenagers, is known for her ‘dark’ pop music that often explores mature and disturbing themes. While these themes might resonate with older listeners, they can be confusing and potentially harmful to children and young people.

Martinez’s music videos often amplify these themes with graphic imagery and disturbing scenarios. Examples include:

“Dollhouse” and “Sippy Cup”: These songs depict dysfunctional family dynamics and abuse, which can be frightening for young children.
“Pacify Her” and “Carousel”: These portray obsessive love and co-dependency, potentially leading children to view these behaviours as acceptable.
“Mrs. Potato Head” and “Snowman”: These explore body image and beauty standards in ways that could negatively impact children’s self-esteem and body image.
“Cry Baby” and “Mad Hatter”: These music videos contain graphic imagery that can desensitise children to violence and disturbing content.

Why Young People Connect with Challenging Themes

It’s crucial to understand why young people might be drawn to this content. Several factors contribute to its appeal:

Relatability: The struggles and emotions expressed in music can feel very real to young people, especially if they’re going through similar experiences themselves.
Sense of Community: When young people feel alone or unsupported, finding others who share their interests can create a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Curiosity: It’s natural for teenagers to be curious about adult topics and want to explore the world beyond their own experiences.
Rebellion: “Dark” or controversial music can seem cool and different, offering a way for young people to express their individuality or rebel against expectations.
Emotional Outlet: Music can be a powerful way for young people to process their emotions, especially if those emotions are difficult or painful.

Portert A generation Z teenager girl in headphones, sadly looks down.

Top Tips For Parents, Carers, and Safeguarding Professionals

Utilise Parental Controls Effectively

Make use of safety features across various platforms to make the online experience safer for children and young people. You can use Our Safety Centre for help with this, including information on how to block and report other users and harmful content.

Discuss with the child or young person why you have chosen the selected restrictions and come to an agreement as this will help them feel involved and in control.

Monitor and Model 

Having open conversations and showing interest about what music your child is listening to is a good way to gain insight into what type of music and content they are interacting with.

Model good behaviour yourself, as young people often look to the adults around them as an example! Seek to listen to age-appropriate music when you are around the children and young people in your care.

Have Open Conversations  

Take time with the child or young person to talk about their online and listening habits in a positive environment that is free from judgement. Ask open-ended questions like, “why do you like listening to that?” or “who is your favourite singer?”. This will encourage them to be more honest about their habits and come to you if they have questions.

Ensure they know who their trusted adults are if they need to discuss something they have listened to or seen online that is harmful or has made them uncomfortable.

 Encourage Critical Thinking

Teach children and young people to question messages in music and online content, and to seek help from their trusted adult if they are unsure about the meaning of something.

Offer Alternatives

Children and young people can form strong connections with artists for many reasons. It is important that if they seem attached to someone that is producing potentially harmful content, that you don’t remove it completely from them. Instead, offer alternatives such as ‘clean’ versions of inappropriate songs or limiting them to songs from that artist that are appropriate. Music is everywhere, both online and offline, so it is impossible to control exposure to it.

Teach Online Safety 

Educate the child or young person on how to use the digital spaces safely, including reporting and blocking content that is harmful. Empowering them to make smarter online decisions will ultimately keep them safer! 