How social media is rewiring your child’s relationship with money

Mar 10, 2026 | 12:15 IST

Image: Freepik

Limiting screen time isn't enough. Observe what your child is watching. If they are constantly consuming aspirational content, it is likely to influence what they begin to “want”

Bengaluru-based Shae Chowdhury, 14, loves shoes. She consumes a steady stream of global shows and lifestyle content on streaming platforms. She rarely asks her parents for expensive things, but when it comes to shoes, she is persistent.

“Recently, she asked us to purchase a pair of Converse shoes,” says Sushobhan Chowdhury. Across India, teens chase statement pieces, fashion accessories, or expensive mobile accessories. Social media is one of the biggest accelerators of this consumption-driven thinking. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 found that while 82% of children aged 14-16 use a smartphone, only 57% use it for education, while 76% use it for social media.

TOI

TOI

How social media is rewiring your child’s relationship with money

Limiting screen time isn't enough. Observe what your child is watching. If they are constantly consuming aspirational content, it is likely to influence what they begin to “want”

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TOI

How social media is rewiring your child’s relationship with money

Limiting screen time isn't enough. Observe what your child is watching. If they are constantly consuming aspirational content, it is likely to influence what they begin to “want”

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