I remember when I thought teenage entitlement meant refusing to wash dishes. Turns out, it now includes endless social media scrolling, expecting Wi‑Fi at all hours—or believing a “like” is a life achievement.

A recent panel in Egypt, covered by EgyptToday, puts it plain: teens are glued to TikTok and Instagram, and it’s our job—yes, our job—to supervise, guide, and engage, not just ban or lecture. This matches what the American Psychological Association is saying too: healthy social media use is about boundaries, modeling behavior, and real talk—not techno‑fencing or guilt trips.

The Modern Egyptian Teen: Entitled or Untrained?

Egyptian youth make up around 60% of the population, and they’re heavily influenced by online celebrities and trends. A study found influencers play a key role in how Egyptian teens build their online identity. Combine that with spoiled‑kid syndrome —expecting everything done for them at home— and you’ve got a recipe for entitlement.

Most parents still spoon‑feed teens with chores in one hand and phones in the other. But research shows chores and earned responsibilities build empathy and gratitude, and reduce that entitled “I deserve it” mindset.

Social Media + Teens = Not Always Evil, But Definitely Influential

Yes, social platforms can bring learning, connection, even creativity—but they also deliver constant comparison, anxiety, and distraction. Studies link heavy use to low self‑esteem and poor mental health in teens. Experts recommend structured guidance: screen limits, weekly conversations, and modeling. If you’re doom‑scrolling away at dinner, expect your teen to think the phone truly is the dinner guest of honor.

What You Can Do: A Smart Egyptian Dad’s Playbook

1. Open Daily Conversations
   Don’t interrogate, just ask: “What did you see today? What annoyed you? What made you laugh?” Showing interest fosters trust.
2. Set Clear Boundaries (and stick to them)
   No screens at dinner. No phones in bedrooms overnight. If they resist, tie privileges, Wi‑Fi access or fun outings, to real responsibilities: laundry, dish duty, helping a sibling.
3. Model the Behavior You Want. Put your phone away at family time. Show self‑control. Explain why.
4. Balance Influence with Authenticity. Encourage teens to think critically about influencers. Who are they buying into? It’s their identity being shaped; give them tools to question what looks appealing.
5. Teach Money and Responsibility. Let them earn a small allowance for chores. Teach the value of money. When they earn, they appreciate more.

Parenting teens may feel like juggling TikTok habits, entitlement, and mental health all at once. But in Egypt’s evolving digital era, you can lead the way. Use chores to foster gratitude. Use conversation to build trust. Use screen limits to preserve sleep and sanity. They’re not broken, they’re online. And you’re still the parent.

If we do this right, their phones don’t raise them, we raise them.