A  recent headline brings concerned parents the shocking truths of celebrity obsessions. 8 young teens from Ahmedabad, India resorted to violent behaviours, outbursts and stealing money driven by their intense obsession with BTS. From spending hours locked in the room and losing all academic focus, the toxic behaviours that are promoted by an unhealthy obsessions with music and its creators extend to suicidal tendencies among teenagers. The question arises which strikes the perplexed adults as to what causes and what resolves these behaviors. 

What causes such behaviours ?

       There is an intense flow of cultural ideas that fascinate the curious minds and lead to a glorification of anything foriegn. A form of degradation of native culture is followed by a fanatical obsession with another lifestyle. The cause is rooted in the very nature of the society and lifestyle which maximizes the exposure to foreignh culture that has a hegemonic power over teenagers. 

  • Need for affiliation 

           Psychologically, it is proven that during the course of socio-cognitive development in teenagers, they develop a strong sense of belongingness. They look for external and social validation and become strongly influenced by their peer groups. The externalised ideas of self becomes their self-identity due to the rewards it provides for their social life. This sense of belongingness is aggravated to the point where they adopt a global symbol of power and greatness and associate themselves with the same. This brings us to the second need of adolescents- the need for branding. 

  • Social Status and Branding

      Adjacent with the desire to belong, teenagers display a need to elevate their social status and they do so by bringing glorified images of celebrities and associating themselves with it. It is clearly displayed that these fanatics call themselves by names that mark this symbol of power and display extreme ingroup tendencies. A promotion of such an obsessive and irrational adoration for these stars lead students to develop hostile attitudes towards any disruption to their idealised lifestyle. 

While the root causes of fanaticism are narrowed down, the possible symptoms of unhealthy obsessions are widely normalised as casual teenage craziness or rebellion. But to the point of excessive absorption of their minds into the  fanatiscal reality they’ve created for themselves, right intervention at homes should be utilised to check these toxic habits. 

  • Social media plays a crucial role in promoting idealistic mentalities. Therefore parents should monitor internet usage and social media interactions from a safe distance. 
  • Another method to ensure safety is to promote a healthy communication space and be alert to the kind of topics that pop up during the child’s speech. 
  • Furthermore, be more of a partner. Be inclusive to their opinions and use opportunities in that conversation to promote a healthy admiration for art form. 
  • It is important to be on the lookout for an escapism in their behaviors, making them devalue their reality while opting to follow another lifestyle. 
  • Parents should encourage healthy interest in native culture and increase opportunities to explore different art forms in the country.

 Art should be taken for the joy of aesthetics and can be escalated to a passion and love for the same. However, the dangers of losing oneself amidst the chaos of identity confusing in our young teenagers have high stakes for their future and calls for careful guidance.