Many teenagers today turn to digital fantasy worlds, such as K-dramas, online stories, games, and social media, to escape stress and emotional problems. These platforms often show perfect lives and romantic stories, which can feel comforting to young minds dealing with pressure, loneliness, or confusion.
Algorithms play a big role in this. They keep showing similar content again and again, making teenagers spend more time online. With cheap internet data and long hours of unsupervised screen time, some adolescents begin to live more in fantasy than in real life.
For most young people, this is harmless entertainment. But for some vulnerable teens, excessive fantasy can become an emotional shelter. In extreme cases, it may lead to obsession, mental health issues, or loss of touch with reality.
Experts say parents and teachers should encourage open conversations, healthy screen habits, and emotional support. Real-life connections and guidance are important to help young people balance imagination and reality.
