I was shocked to read about the recent controversy surrounding Ranveer Allahbadia. His comment on Samay Raina’s show was more than just a bad joke—it was an outright offensive and unacceptable remark that had no place on a public platform. What’s worse is that such conversations are being passed off as entertainment. These influencers, who have massive followings, especially among the youth, continue to misuse their platforms under the guise of “freedom of expression.”
A week ago, four people were arrested in Srivilliputhur, a town in southern Tamil Nadu, under the POCSO Act for using YouTube to manipulate and traffic young boys for gay sex. It was a culture shock, as Tamil Nadu has long been considered a traditionally rooted and conservative region.
There was a time when YouTube and Instagram were platforms for creativity, knowledge, and meaningful entertainment. That was until TikTok emerged, encouraging glamorous reels made by ordinary people. The number of likes and subscribers started determining people’s income. These content creators are now called “influencers” and are even invited to preview shows of films as part of promotional tactics. The sad reality is that they now shape the market for products, influencing consumer behaviour in ways we never imagined. It is shocking to see live YouTube vlogs where half-dressed women talk in seductive tones—some of them are even housewives. It is obvious that the race for virality has overtaken basic decency. Ranveer Allahbadia, also known as BeerBiceps, is just one example of how social media content has degraded over the years.
But where do we draw the line? How long will we allow social media to be a space where the boundaries of decency are constantly pushed for likes, views, and engagement? This isn’t just about one comment or one influencer. The larger issue is the kind of content being created and consumed on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, which are increasingly becoming cesspools of vulgarity, cheap humour, and inappropriate material. Look at Instagram today—sensational couple videos, intimate skits, and hyper-sexualised dance performances dominate the feed. What used to be a space for personal expression has now turned into a platform where personal relationships are exploited for sexual and extramarital engagement. Husbands and wives stage exaggerated fights and make-ups, with scenes that belong in private settings, not on social media. The hyper drama they create is no less toxic than the relationships portrayed in television serials for TRP ratings. These so-called “relationship goals” are nothing but attention-seeking stunts that dilute the essence of genuine relationships. When the world is treated as a “no-private space,” the very essence of personal relationships starts to rot.
YouTube, on the other hand, is flooded with content that thrives on offensive jokes, sexual innuendos, and pranks that often border on harassment. Many creators use disrespectful language, vulgar humour, and over-the-top antics to grab attention. The worst part? This content is being consumed by millions of young audiences who start believing that such behaviour is normal and even desirable. The impact is dangerous—children are growing up thinking that rudeness, disrespect, and vulgarity are acceptable forms of communication.
The real tragedy, however, lies in the role of parents. From a two-month-old baby being fed while watching nursery rhymes to a teenager left alone at home with unrestricted access to adult content, we are witnessing an alarming pattern. Many working parents fail to monitor their children’s online activity, leaving them vulnerable to harmful digital exposure. What starts as an occasional convenience soon turns into an addiction. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, parents have handed their children over to the digital world without any control. Gone are the days when families watched television together, where content was at least regulated. Now, every child has access to a personal screen—a direct, unfiltered gateway into the chaos of social media. Parents rarely monitor what their kids are watching, allowing them to be exposed to content that is far beyond their age and maturity level.
This alarming shift in children’s behaviour has never been properly addressed. Schools should enforce strict policies limiting mobile phone usage during school hours. Attention spans are shrinking, and basic social skills—such as engaging in meaningful conversations and finding humour in everyday interactions—are declining. Children struggle with patience, focus, and even real-life conversations because they are constantly stimulated by short, meaningless content. They no longer remember phone numbers, birthdays, or important dates—after all, their devices do it for them. Even handwriting skills are deteriorating, as children grow more accustomed to typing than writing.
Where Is This All Heading?
We are raising a robotic generation that is more comfortable in the digital world than in human interactions. Years ago, an American concept called “The Second World” became popular—a digital universe where one could create an alternate identity, live a different life, and achieve what reality never offered. People started seeking solace in this virtual space, disconnecting from real-life experiences. The danger is that people no longer feel alive in the real world.
Today, we have a generation of emotionally detached individuals, expressing feelings through emojis rather than words, seeking validation through likes and shares instead of genuine human relationships. If we don’t act now, we risk creating a society that values digital clout over real-world connections. Of course, some may argue that social media is about freedom. But real freedom must come with responsibility. Unregulated content should not be allowed to shape society’s morals, especially when it influences children. Social media algorithms push the most engaging content, and unfortunately, the most sensational and inappropriate content often receives the highest engagement. This is why we urgently need stricter censorship on platforms like YouTube and Instagram.
Other countries have already taken steps in this direction. Australia, for instance, has implemented strong censorship policies to protect children from harmful content. They have introduced stricter age restrictions, tougher regulations for content creators, and AI-based moderation systems that automatically remove inappropriate videos before they reach young viewers. If they can do it, why can’t India?
Right now, digital platforms operate with little or no censorship. Unlike films, which go through certification boards before release, social media allows anyone to upload anything without scrutiny. And when a controversy arises, the solution is always the same—an apology, a statement, and then business as usual. But apologies don’t erase the damage caused. Millions of people have already consumed the content, and its influence cannot be undone. This is the time to introduce stricter regulations, filter content before it reaches audiences, and demonetize creators who use controversy and vulgarity as engagement strategies. More importantly, platforms need to recognise that freedom of expression should not come at the cost of ethics, culture, and values.
The Ranveer Allahbadia controversy is not an isolated incident—it is a symptom of a much larger problem. The real question is, how many more controversies will it take before we realize that something needs to change? If we don’t start regulating content, setting boundaries, and monitoring what children consume, our society is heading toward an irreversible decline.
The digital world is here to stay, but how we navigate it is still in our hands. The question is—are we willing to take responsibility before it’s too late?
(The Views expressed are personal)
