n an age where Facebook and WhatsApp rule the roost, there is every chance of getting hooked to the social networking platforms that make a world of difference to many.
With smartphones gaining entry into every person’s pocket and selfies becoming the newest trend to catch the attention of the virtual world, the most unsettling fact is that these platforms have more negative effect on young minds.
Ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child observed on October 11, NGO representatives and experts have joined hands to advocate monitored access to social networking sites and empower adolescent girls to make use of the digital world smartly.
Experts say that those who get engrossed in social networking sites are more prone to depression.
“Of late, parents are finding it a challenge to handle strange behavioural problems of their children. The most common complaint that tops the list is selfie addiction. The glamour of the virtual world is literally pushing adolescent girls to share personal details to a stranger without any inhibition. This trend should change,” says Pragna Mitra, clinical psychologist of Government Hospital for Mental Care, who gave insights into the ‘Impact of Social Media on Adolescent girls’ at a sensitisation programme organised by Visakha Forum for Child Rights (VFCR) at Visakha Government Junior College for Girls on Friday.
‘The Power of the Adolescent Girl: Vision for 2030’ being the theme of the current year’s International Day of the Girl Child, the focus was on advocating solutions to tackle a variety of virtual problems. “That is the primary reason why we wanted to organise an outreach programme exclusively for girls and help them exercise control over online platforms,” explain T. Vijaya Lakshmi and Ujjwal Swaroop of VFCR.
Those who find it convenient to communicate through WhatsApp say that they do enjoy exchanging videos online and know what is happening in the world.
“WhatsApp binds us and definitely we do not want to miss out on any fun. However, one should know where to draw the line and switch off,” opines K. Indrani, an Intermediate student.
