Now, social media campaign to help ‘Teens Talk’
LUCKNOW: In an effort to bridge the communication gap between parents and their children, a group of city youngsters have started a social media campaign called TeenTalks to help children open up about their problems to their parents.
“We are doing an online campaign where children can write messages to their parents or to parents in general and tell them what they are feeling. Our Facebook page says: If you’re a parent or a teen, looking for a space to share your thoughts, take a picture of your message and send it to us and we’ll share it through this album,” says Akshay Abraham of NGO- Project Khel.
The campaign is online at www.facebook.com/projectkhel to encourage teens as well as parents to write messages and send photos to be published on this crucial social media campaign.
Principal of La Martiniere Girls’ College Farida Abraham said communication between parents and children were dying fast and it was important for parents to realize it early. “In today’s age of technology stress, it is time we restored quality conversation time between parents and chil- dren. Values should not be fictionalized as is now happening. It is so critical that thought processes should be simple and uncluttered,” she said.
Teachers suggest that not only does giving quality time by parents works wonder to restore confidence in a child who is struggling, it also improves a parent-child bond and encourages them to listen to you. “It helps them form relationships and build self-esteem. An open relationship where children feel comfortable talking about what they’ve been doing and with whom will encourage children to tell you about their life when they’re older. Show your interest by saying such things as, tell me about, really, and go on,” says Mohsina Mirza, teacher, La Martiniere College.
In today’s age when parents too are under great stress to earn more and ensure better educational facilities for their children, it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to find time for their children. “I think the best way for parents to give time to their children is to utilise their leaves by taking their children to trips, catching up with their lives and generally bonding with them. Plus, we should also start counseling classes for parents in schools,” says Joynato Mukherjee, who works with Indian Railways.