The handphone is a useful communication tool in a globalised and digital world, and therefore it is important for children to network and learn what is happening in other countries (When to give your child a phone; last Sunday, March 11, 2018, The Straits Times).
Social media and the internet provides vast
information which can help people understand each other’s culture and way of
living. Through this learning journey, children with proper guidance and the
right attitudes can easily get involve in charity work and contribute as useful
members of society.
Communication is important to build strong
relationships and therefore it would not be right to deprive kids of handphones
as parents also need to keep in touch with them. But discipline on the phone usage is
necessary to prevent exploitation of kids.
We must be mindful that with technology advancing at such a fast
pace, pornography is now finding its way into handphones and other social
networks. So, while parents are closely
monitoring their children's computer usage at home, smut could be downloaded
into children and teens' cellphones, without their parents knowing about it,
thanks to easier and cheaper internet access.
With computer games so easily available, children and even adults
can become victims of game addictions, and when this happens, they will neglect
their studies.
To this end, it is crucial that parents and schools become the
first line of defence to manage exploitation of young minds. To begin with, it
may become necessary to restrict the time children spend on the internet and
handphones, and where possible a password by the parents can be used for kids
to access the computer or the handphone.
Next, schools should invite the police and professionals from the
addiction department of the Institute of Mental Health to give educational talks
to children/students in the presence of their parents during the regular
parents-students meetings.
Raymond Anthony Fernando
Raymond Anthony Fernando
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