Growing up, I didn't have the luxury of mobile phones. In fact, few households had telephones, and to make a call, you had to visit the Nigeria Telecommunication office. Life was simpler, and there were no internet distractions to hinder our daily lives. It wasn't until my second year in university that I got my first phone, a basic mobile phone with no internet connection.
In today's digital age, it's more crucial than ever for parents to take an active role in their children's online activities. With the internet at their fingertips, children are exposed to a vast array of content, some of which can be harmful. Parents must be aware of the potential risks and take steps to protect their children.
It's not about depriving them of technology, but about teaching them how to use it responsibly. As I reflect on my own experiences, I realize that growing up without mobile phones has its advantages, but it's up to parents to ensure that their children use technology wisely.
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As a concerned advocate for a better generation, I believe it's essential to address the issue of irrelevant and harmful content on social media platforms, particularly Facebook. If I had the opportunity to meet Mark Zuckerberg and other platform owners, I would emphasize the importance of responsible content moderation and censorship. The current state of social media is alarming, with children surfing the internet and being exposed to inappropriate content that has no moral lesson.
As a parent, it's crucial to recognize the dangers of allowing children to use social media without proper supervision and guidance. Some parents may think it's their child's time to explore the world, but they fail to realize the potential harm that can come from exposure to pornography, sex movies, nude pictures, fraud, and other harmful content. The case of a 12-year-old girl who was caught engaging in promiscuous behavior with multiple boys in her school is a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked internet access.
This incident highlights the need for parents to take responsibility for their children's online activities. Why do we give children mobile phones without proper guidance and monitoring? Is it because we don't know what better gift to give them, or is it because we're too busy to care?
As a teacher, we are used to seeing so many things these children perform. I recall an incident that still surprises me to this day. Some students were caught watching pornographic content during break time, bringing their phones to school is against the school rules. So, the phone was seized, but what happened next was shocking.
The student's parent arrived not to discipline their child for breaking the rules, but to argue with the authorities for seizing the phone. It was astonishing to see a parent defend their child's actions, showing no concern for the potential harm caused by exposure to explicit content.
I see that nowadays parents are not ready to take parental responsibility in monitoring their children's actions, especially when it comes to technology. Parents must set boundaries and guide their children in using technology wisely, rather than allowing them to do whatever they want without consequences.
The Bible teaches us to "teach your child the way he should go so that when they are old, they will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). As parents, we must guide our children and ensure they use social media responsibly. We must utilize parental controls and third-party awareness and set limits to prevent exposure to harmful content.
The problem of underaged children carrying mobile phones and accessing irrelevant content is rampant. It is so sad to see a young girl of 13 years having a mobile worth a huge amount and her parents still don't care. We need to be watchful as parents and guardians, and platform owners must be concerned about content censorship. By working together, we can create a safer online environment for our children.
How can we achieve this?
For the platform owners
- Platform owners must implement robust content moderation policies to detect and remove harmful content.
- Platform owners should enforce age restrictions and verification processes to prevent minors from accessing mature content.
- Platform owners should verify user identities to prevent irrelevant content.
For the parents
- Parents and guardians should stop the attitude, it's their turn to enjoy and shine by giving them phones without creating awareness of the dangers involved.
- Parents and guardians must monitor their children's online activities, set limits, and engage in open conversations about online safety.
- Parents should utilize parental controls and third-party awareness to set limits and prevent exposure to harmful content.
- Parents and guardians must be totally involved in their children's online activities, teaching them the way they should go.
By working together as parent and platform owners, we can create a better generation that uses the internet responsibly and safely and ensure a better generation for the future.
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This is in response to the #hivelearners writing contest on the topic: UNCENSORED.
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