Manchester: Pakistani Teenagers on Balancing Social Media, Faith, and Family Expectations

In Manchester’s Pakistani community, a new generation of teenagers is navigating a world their parents never imagined — one defined by social media, constant connectivity, and the pull of multiple identities. For many, the balancing act between cultural expectations at home and the pressures of online life feels like walking a tightrope.

S., a 16-year-old college student, said she often feels caught between two worlds. “On Instagram, you see influencers living a lifestyle that doesn’t always match with what our parents expect. Sometimes it feels like I’m living two lives — one online, and one at home,” she explained. For her, modesty and faith are central to her identity, yet the curated images of glamour and popularity online make it hard not to compare.

Others echoed the same. M., a 17-year-old in his final year of school, described the pressure to meet both academic and cultural standards. “My parents expect top grades because they sacrificed so much to come here. At the same time, when I go online, everyone’s flexing new trainers or showing off a lifestyle I can’t relate to. It’s stressful trying to fit both images.”

Parents, too, are aware of these struggles. Many monitor their children’s use of phones, though often they admit the digital world feels alien. A., a 15-year-old, shared: “When I tell my parents I’m stressed from social media, they don’t get it. They just say, ‘delete the app.’ But it’s not that simple — that’s how everyone stays connected.”

Faith plays a grounding role for some. R., aged 16, explained how prayer and community life help her feel less overwhelmed. “My mum always says to keep my faith strong. Sometimes, when social media makes me anxious, I try to step away and focus on reading Qur’an or just being with family. It helps me remember what’s important.”

Yet, the gap between generations is clear. Many teenagers feel their parents grew up with clearer rules and tighter-knit communities, whereas they are navigating identity across both offline and online worlds. Teachers and mentors in Manchester community centres note that young people often come forward with concerns about isolation, especially when they feel they can’t meet the expectations set by both family and peers.

But amid the struggles, there is resilience. Teenagers are carving out ways to bridge the gap. Group chats with friends in similar situations offer solidarity, and some are even using platforms like TikTok to talk openly about identity and faith. “I follow a few creators who are Pakistani and Muslim like me,” said S. “They show that you don’t have to pick one identity. You can be proud of your background and still live in the UK.”

For many in Manchester’s Pakistani community, these stories underline a shared reality: today’s teenagers are pioneering a hybrid identity, where cultural heritage and modern digital life collide. The challenge, as one parent put it, is ensuring young people don’t feel they have to choose between them.

اردو خلاصہ

مانچسٹر میں پاکستانی کمیونٹی کے نوجوان آج کے دور کے ایک نئے امتحان سے گزر رہے ہیں۔ سوشل میڈیا، مستقل آن لائن زندگی اور مختلف ثقافتی توقعات کے درمیان توازن قائم رکھنا ان کے لیے آسان نہیں۔

ایک 16 سالہ طالبہ نے کہا: “انسٹاگرام پر جو طرزِ زندگی نظر آتا ہے وہ ہمیشہ ہمارے گھر کے اصولوں سے میل نہیں کھاتا۔ یوں لگتا ہے جیسے میری دو زندگیاں ہیں — ایک آن لائن اور ایک گھر پر۔”

اسی طرح ایک 17 سالہ طالب علم نے بتایا کہ والدین کی توقعات اور آن لائن دباؤ دونوں کو پورا کرنا مشکل ہے۔ “والدین چاہتے ہیں کہ میں اعلیٰ نمبر لاؤں، جبکہ سوشل میڈیا پر سب مہنگی چیزیں دکھاتے ہیں۔ دونوں تقاضے پورے کرنا مشکل ہے۔”

کچھ نوجوان اپنے ایمان اور دینی سرگرمیوں کو سہارا سمجھتے ہیں۔ ایک لڑکی نے بتایا کہ نماز اور قرآن پڑھنے سے ذہنی دباؤ کم ہوتا ہے اور ترجیحات واضح ہو جاتی ہیں۔

والدین اکثر مشورہ دیتے ہیں کہ ایپ ڈیلیٹ کر دو، لیکن نوجوانوں کے لیے یہ اتنا آسان نہیں کیونکہ سوشل میڈیا ان کے دوستوں اور تعلقات کا اہم حصہ ہے۔

اس کے باوجود، نوجوان اپنی شناخت کو نئے انداز میں ڈھالنے کی کوشش کر رہے ہیں۔ وہ اپنی پاکستانی اور مسلم شناخت پر فخر کرتے ہوئے برطانیہ میں رہنے کے ساتھ توازن قائم کرنے کی راہیں تلاش کر رہے ہیں۔