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<p><strong>INTERNET &amp; SOCIAL MEDIA</strong></p>
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<p>“My child is always playing games on the phone.“<br>“My child is locked up in his room with the computer.” <br>“My child's behaviour at home has changed.” <br>“I am not able to see what my child is doing on social media.” <br>“I keep scolding my child not to post online but he doesn't listen.”<br>“My child has been looking sad for some time and refuses to go to school.”</p>
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<p>Problematic internet use is a sad reality. <br>As parents what have you done to set limits?</p>
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<p>Access to media, by all children and youth irrespective of social or economic strata, and unsupervised use of it has become an area of major concern. The glamorous portrayal of cigarettes, alcohol and other tobacco products is also a negative influence on children. The glamour of the tinsel world can affect body image and attitudes. <br>Children are very impressionable as their brains are still in a developing stage. Do we need to expose our children to age-inappropriate material online?<br>The media offers other risks as well. Online predators and grooming are a known danger.<br>We as parents are not doing enough to guide and protect our children from negative influence. Parents can seek support on these issues. Anticipatory guidance is extremely important  Mistakes in the online space cannot be reversed and sometimes have major repercussions.</p>
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<p><strong> PEER PRESSURE</strong><br>Ever wondered how adolescents can behave in a manner contrary to their usual behaviour especially when in a group. Please think about this when you come across news articles about adolescents and youth involved in a crime as a group, which can be as gruesome as assault, rape, robbery or a murder.<br>Parents are responsible for their children till they become adults, logically and legally.</p>
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<p>Every child experiences Peer Pressure and there is an intense desire to conform to the peer group, to belong and be accepted.  It is the driving force behind many of their actions and decisions. These can include risk-taking behaviour and the initiation of substance abuse. <br>It is unnatural to expect any adolescent to stay away from or not do what the peer group does. The peer group influences the attitudes and beliefs that the adolescent develops. We need to teach our children to be mindful about the rights and wrongs. Saying NO may not be easy for them in such situations. Assertiveness training before they face such situations is very useful.<br>There is so much that can be discussed about this. As parents, there is so much to do. Please do seek guidance if you feel the need to.</p>
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