By IANS,
New Delhi : Children addicted to social networking sites without understanding their implications are falling victim to grudges which move from cyberspace to the real world, say police, teachers and psychologists.
Their views come in the wake of a Class 10 student Wednesday stabbing his classmate in a central Delhi school, apparently miffed at the latter posting a photograph of his on Facebook.
“Recently, we came across a case where students had created a page on their teacher on a social networking site so that they can make fun of her and abuse her,” a officer of Delhi Police’s cyber cell, who did not want to be identified, told IANS.
The lack of counselling and emotional management skills in children along with unhindered access to networking sites are giving way to violent expressions among children unable to handle the situation, the experts said.
“Children need to be told that networking sites are not for spreading hatred or vent anger. Schools should take initiatives and counsel the students. This is a must. Unfortunately, not much attention is being given to counselling on cyber activity,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Economic Offence Wing) K.K. Vyas said.
“Social media provides space for youngsters to hide and vent their anger. So, teaching children anger management will be the best solution for controlling violence,” said Director of Mental Health and Behaviourial Sciences at Fortis Hospital Sameer Parekh.
He said schools must teach anger management. Parents and teachers must also pay attention to children’s behaviour, he said.
However, with unhindered access from their homes, teenagers just could not get enough of networking sites, said a teacher.
“Homes and schools are equal partners in the child’s development. But browsing social networking sites for long hours happens from homes and it is in the hands of parents to see what their children are doing,” principal of a east Delhi school, who did not want to be named, said.