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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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