Social Media and Teens in Dance

Come with us as we share some thoughts about this topic

For dancers aged 10+  in New Zealand, social media plays a huge role in how they experience dance. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are where many young dancers discover choreography, follow their favourite performers, and share their own progress. It can be incredibly motivating, seeing others their age achieving new skills or performing on big stages often inspires dancers to push themselves and stay engaged with their training, but it can come at a cost.

This age group is especially vulnerable to comparison. Social media can be a place to share meaningful moments, like finally landing a trick, performing on stage, or celebrating a milestone, but it’s important to remember that it usually shows the best bits of someone’s training, not the full reality. Behind every polished video are the hours of practice, mistakes, and setbacks that aren’t always shared. For younger teens in particular, constantly seeing these highlight reels can impact confidence and make them feel like they’re falling behind.

"Another danger is that there are a lot of well-meaning people out there giving bad advice, or just inadvertently setting a bad example. I see a lot of advice about diets and nutrition, exercises and stretching which haven’t come from a reliable source. There are a lot of pictures and videos of people in really extreme stretches that could be damaging and are unlikely to actually be very useful." - Does social media help or hinder young aspiring dancers? Jessica - Dare to dance

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Here are some of our favourite healthy social media accounts to follow

Ballet With Isabella

Mr Du

Claudia Dean World

New Zealand School of Dance

Royal Academy of Dance

Asia Pacific Dance Association

For teens, the key is balance. Social media should feel like a place to express, learn, and connect, not something that defines their worth as a dancer. When used mindfully, it can be a powerful tool that supports both confidence and a genuine love of dance.

We encourage parents of young dancers, to stay involved in your child's social media use; it's an important way to support both their safety and wellbeing. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok can expose teens to a wide range of content, not all of it appropriate or safe. Regularly checking in on what your child is viewing and sharing—while respecting their growing independence will help you stay aware of any concerning or unusual content. Just as importantly, keeping an open, non-judgemental dialogue encourages your child to come to you if they see something that makes them uncomfortable. By creating a space where they feel safe to ask questions and talk honestly, you can guide them in understanding what is realistic, what may be harmful, and how to navigate social media in a healthy, informed way.