Social Media Impact on Children: WhatsApp recently rolled out a feature allowing children under the age of 13 to create accounts. Its advantages and disadvantages are now being widely discussed.
WhatsApp accounts can now be created for young children.
Social Media Impact on Children: Now children below 13 years of age will also be able to create an account on WhatsApp. For this, the company has recently introduced the parent-managed account feature. In this, parents will be able to link their children's account to their device. The advantage of this will be that their parents will be able to keep an eye on their children's conversations. On one hand, while in many countries social media is being banned for children below 16 years of age , on the other hand, WhatsApp has brought this feature for young children. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using such a feature and what effect will it have on the minds of children? To know this, ABP News has talked to psychologists and IT experts. Let us know what they have to say about this.
Despite parental controls, there are many risks.
Prabir Jana, IT manager at Macure Hospital, says that parental controls reduce exposure, but the danger is not completely eliminated due to constantly advancing technology, encrypted and disappearing content, etc. Talking to children can help educate them about these dangers.
Detection made difficult due to encryption
Nowadays, chats on many platforms, including WhatsApp, are end-to-end encrypted. This makes it difficult to detect the content of chats. This makes it difficult to identify who children are talking to. Furthermore, children are at greater risk of falling prey to scams. Children trust people easily and are unaware that genuine apps never ask them to share code. Such scams spread rapidly on WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Discord. Therefore, make it a point to never share any code with anyone.
Scammers target children in these ways
Prabir Jana explained that scammers and fraudsters target children through fake profiles. They initially praise someone in public groups or chats, then switch to direct messaging. They seek to gain trust and form a friendship, then demand photos and videos. Similarly, scammers lure children with rewards in exchange for sharing their OTP and try to extract personal information by impersonating a friend or influencer.
What are the methods of prevention?
- Always use Apple Family Sharing or Google Family Link. These offer a variety of options, including app approvals, setting screen time limits, and filtering content.
- Create a parent-managed account for your child on WhatsApp. This will give them control over the messages and calls they receive.
- Enable teen-parent mode on every app, including Snapchat and Instagram, and disable features like location sharing and disappearing messages.
- Always use a strong password on your device and keep screen time enabled.
What is the impact of social media and messaging platforms on the minds of children?
Nowadays, children start using smartphones and messaging apps from a young age. This impacts their social media and emotional development. Speaking about this, Arpita Kohli, a psychologist and counselor at PSRI Hospital, says that messaging platforms like WhatsApp impact a child's social and emotional growth. Using them reduces face-to-face interactions, hindering their ability to understand emotions, develop communication skills, and build social relationships. Therefore, parental guidance is crucial when using these platforms.
Regarding WhatsApp's parent-managed account, Kohli says it can help children learn to be safe and responsible in the online world. This account will prevent children from interacting with strangers, but if screen time isn't limited, children can become completely dependent on digital communication.
What advice for parents?
Advising parents, Kohli said that instead of strictly monitoring their children, parents should have open conversations. They should explain online safety and set clear rules for screen time. They should also let children know who they can trust. It's also important to explain why they are being monitored.
Do parental controls reduce the dangers of the digital world?
Experts argue that this reduces the risk of cyberbullying. Parental controls on apps like WhatsApp ensure a safe digital environment. It's also important to educate children about online safety. If a child starts hiding their phone or experiences changes in their behavior, parents should consider these warning signs. This could mean they are being harassed. If they notice any changes in their sleep, mood, or behavior after using social media apps, parents should talk to them and understand their concerns.
