Unsafe Social Media Use by Children Raises Social and Security Risks

Excessive screen time harms mental development; legislation needed to prevent suicides linked to gaming applications

Islamabad: Irresponsible and unsafe use of social media by children has developed into a serious crisis, exposing young and impressionable minds to severe social, psychological and security risks. According to international research reports, raising awareness about the safe and responsible use of social media has become an urgent necessity to protect children from the harmful effects of the digital world.

Devastating Effects on Mental Health and Development

According to international media outlets, including CNN and Arab News, excessive exposure to mobile screens at an early age is adversely affecting children’s overall personalities.

Psychological problems: Social media addiction is becoming a major cause of anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation and poor academic performance among children.

Obstruction to healthy development: Experts have warned that continuous exposure to screens severely affects children’s emotional, social and physical development.

Spread of Cybercrime and Dangerous Online Games

According to the report, organised smart groups and cybercriminals are using social media platforms to manipulate and brainwash children’s innocent minds.

Experts say that the absence of strict laws and effective filtering systems has allowed hateful content and rumours to spread rapidly across the internet. In the past, the excessive use of applications and online challenges such as Blue Whale, Momo Challenge and PUBG has also been linked to deeply tragic incidents, including suicides among children.

Situation in Pakistan and the Urgent Need for Legislation

According to a recent database report, Pakistan has approximately 109.8 million children below the age of 16, a significant proportion of whom use smartphones.

Experts’ opinion: As in other parts of the world, Pakistan now urgently requires strict legislation for the digital monitoring of children’s online activities. Experts have emphasised that the government, schools, parents and media must jointly launch a comprehensive awareness campaign to protect the country’s future generations from this hidden digital epidemic.