Wednesday, Jun 14, 2017

The use of social media and internet by children is a double-edged blade. While there are real benefits for children and young adults using social media, including increased communication, access to information and help in developing a sense of self, there are serious drawbacks too. Reports of children being prone to online bullying, exposure to inappropriate content and developing internet addiction disorder are far too commonplace. This is where the danger lurks.

Access to web in the modern day and age is a key part of growing up as it provides children with an important tool, apart from being a highly entertaining and informative medium.

Recent news reports about several Dubai students getting addicted to a controversial TV series that has been banned in some United States schools, has raised alarm bells. The school in question, which follows the Indian CBSE curriculum, has now issued a warning to parents after it found that some of its students “are under the influence of a very trending TV show ‘13 Reasons Why’ that is banned in many countries”.

Pertinently, the warning comes close on the heels of another widely reported episode about an online game ‘Blue Whale’, which was linked to several teen deaths in Russia.

Parents need to develop a proactive attitude when it comes to internet habits of their children. By effective monitoring a children’s internet usage and digital footprint, parents can create an electronic safety-net for their child.

Without curbing their entertainment quotient or digital exposure, parental controls and other means of blocking, filtering or monitoring internet can actually aid a child towards developing a responsible online behaviour.

Gulf News

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