The mind-boggling late 20th century invention, the internet aka the worldwide web, which has provided humanity instant access to an ocean of information, real time news, advice, communication, educational resources, and entertainment, has comprehensively changed the way we work, play and entertain. And while adults are digital immigrants, new millennium children are digital natives unfamiliar with other information and communication media. According to a recent survey conducted by Local Circles, a community social media platform, children aged nine-13 years in India are spending more than three hours per day on social media watching videos or playing games on the internet. And while they are surfing the vast ocean of information and entertainment available on the worldwide web, they have also become vulnerable to online sexual abuse, cheating, pornography and cyber bullying. In short, easy connectivity without adequate online safety knowhow has simultaneously exposed children to the dark side of the gamechanger internet phenomenon. Over the past decade in particular, the Dark Net has transformed into a hyperactive criminal cyberspace in which a frenzy of financial frauds, identity theft, online sexual abuse, child pornography, among other heinous crimes have become commonplace. According to India’s National Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB), there’s a 400 percent increase in cybercrimes against children, from 164 in 2019 to 844 in 2020, undoubtedly a gross under-estimate. Yet even as online crimes against children are rising exponentially, most parents are oblivious of and/or indifferent to the dark underside of the worldwide web. In our cover story this month, we examine the serious issue of child safety in the dangerous online world, with special focus on the most vulnerable age group of tweens and teens. We feature cyberspace experts and child counselors who warn about child abuse in the cyber world, impact of abuse on children and teens, and ways and means to protect children from the army of malignant predators invading the Dark Net. The consensus is that as the internet and social media become all-pervasive, the obligation of parents to proactively educate, prepare and guide children to use this wonder technology safely has become mandatory. Because cybercrimes apart, the huge spurt in access to internet and social media is playing havoc with children’s mental health and well-being. There are several other informative and insightful stories in this content-rich issue of ParentsWorld. Check out our Early Childhood story on how parents can use positive disciplining to teach children to control emotions and take responsibility for their deeds. Also read our Special Essay highlighting the pros and cons of ‘sharenting’ — the new practice of parents sharing news, images and videos of their children on social media. Best wishes for a happier and healthier 2023! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
