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Expert tells parents: Don’t give mobile phones to your children
View(s):A fervent request for parents to refuse to give mobile phones to their children was made on Thursday by a senior official of the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs. “One of the main reasons for children to be led astray is the electronic device, the mobile which parents give them with good intentions,” said Dr. Neela Gunasekara, Chairperson of National Committee on Women, Ministry of Child Development and Women Affairs.
She was speaking as the chief guest at Mallika Nivasa’s 92nd anniversary gathering (25) at the Mallika Nivasa premises in Bambalapitiya. “Today, our children play several characters. They seem to be innocent in their homes, but are completely different at schools. One of the reasons for this is the mobile phones given to them,” she said.
Dr. Gunasekera added, “We urge parents not to give their children mobile phones. If they do, it should be limited to a few numbers but the best course of action is not to give them mobile phones.” She said that children who were brought up with care by parents were often sent to private tuition classes after their GCE O/L examinations, and these unsuspecting students fall prey to deceitful individuals who lure them by showing luxuries that they get attracted to.
“Parents are responsible for this in a way. They have failed to teach their children about society. Sometimes, parents don’t even know till their daughters conceive a child,” she said. Dr Gunasekera said even if such a crisis arose, caregivers should protect the child, as the girls was vulnerable in such a situation.
“Mothers have an important part to play in these matters. They can create their own security by being more attentive, and if they see something suspicious that they cannot change, they could inform the relevant officials,” Dr. Gunasekera said. Also speaking at the event was Sugath S. Kumara, Western Province Commissioner of Probation and Child Care Services. He said crime had increased as a result of children beign unable to face pressure for the downside of life.
He said parents tried to bring up children with far too many comforts and as a result these children were vulnerable in a crisis situation. Awards were also presented to two senior members of the Samithiya, Ethel Fernando and Indrani Munasinghe for completing 50 years as committee members.
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