Govt wants schools to teach kids about risks of internet

NEWDELHI:The ministry of women and child development has suggested that school curriculum include lessons on the harmful impact of internet addiction and cyber ethics, laying out a roadmap for tackling one of the biggest concerns of parents with growing children in India.

On Monday, the WCD and human resource development ministries will take up these and a slew of other measures proposed to ring-fence lakhs of children from multiple dangers associated with the internet.

Besides officials of the two ministries, the meeting will also be attended by state education ministers and a few other Union ministers. The meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), the apex body that advises the central and state governments, will be chaired by HRD minister Prakash Javadekar.

As computer studies is mandatory in the syllabus, it would be beneficial for students if the course also contains “information on cyber laws, internet ethics, cyber security measures, what all to avoid online and why, as well as psychosocial impact of internet addiction”, says the agenda of the meeting accessed by HT.

Experts say that growing addiction to smartphones and computers are creating what they describe as “social isolation” among youngsters leading to depression and suicidal tendencies. The WCD ministry has said as much to tackle growing loneliness among children.

“It is proposed to stress upon the need for counselling during the growing up years. As the society is witnessing a transition from larger families and community dependence to smaller nuclear families, children are becoming lonely.

“The situation is further complicated as both the parents go to work, playgrounds are shrinking and internet/mobiles are the closest buddy available to kids,” the ministry note said.

“NCRB data has reported that there has been a rise in crime against children. In such a scenario, psychosocial counselling needs to be strengthened,” the ministry note added.

EXPERTS SAY ADDICTION TO SMARTPHONES AND COMPUTERS IS CREATING ‘SOCIAL ISOLATION’ AMONG YOUNGSTERS