Children’s safety in a Contemporary Context
Children’s safety in a Contemporary Context
The word ‘childhood’ is very close to our inner heart. When we hear the sound we feel very nostalgic. Children are very close to us and they are our future. The lack of human attribute call moral decay in a society, child sexual exploitation is one of them. Children are the symbol of beauty, symbol of purity and the source of Pleasure. But their future is threatened due to a number of reasons.
It is observed that the misuse of internet is very closely related to child sexual exploitation. In this era of information technology we cannot live without the relevance of information technology similarly we need to learn about the safe use of information technology. According to the survey of Manusher Jonno Foundation in Bangladesh 77% of the children responder watched porn video in 2017. According to the information of Ain O Salish Kendra, 256 persons were sexually victimised through online in 2017.
This is cause for grave concern for all of us.
Try to think that our children are growing up to learn perverted sexual activities and subject to exploitation instead of comprehensive sexual education to lead a healthy and safe life. Internet is a wonderful element of human civilization. Our children are blooming their knowledge and creativity and exploring themselves in global village through the internet. To realise the importance of information technology Bangladesh govt. has added a distinct subject entitled “Information Technology” in secondary and higher secondary level and we have started to get the benefits from it. But we have some limitation to formulate the content of the information technology textbook. We should add a separate chapter about the safe use of internet and the danger of internet. If our children don’t know the use of safe internet then possibilities are there to become victims of sexual exploitation.
Let us see how our children are facing danger through the internet.
► Children are addicted to pornography through the internet.
► They are using social media and addicted to it. Through the social media they are making friendship with unknown persons and gradually someone are becoming very close to them. Sometimes children are spending their time with their Facebook friend by sexting, sharing personal picture and video. But when their friendship is breaking up this audio, video, picture and screenshot are spreading out in the internet. Sexually perverted people are collecting the video and selling in the porn website. As a result children and their family are losing social dignity and are being psychologically, physically and economically abused.
These types of incidents are most dangerous for children’s future. According to media report, online sexual exploitation of children is gradually increasing all over the world. Although a lot of incidents are happening behind the screen.
In our society it is generally believed that:
► Boys are not sexually abused but different research report shows that both males and females are sexually abused.
► Child sexual exploitation is happening in some particular families but the reality is that child sexual exploitation is happening throughout the society.
► Young people are involved in child sexual exploitation process but the reality is that people from different ages are involved in the child sexual exploitation process.
► Parents know everything about their children but the reality is that parents are not conscious about a lot of their children’s activities.
Every day lots of children are losing their childhood due to the sexual exploitation through the internet. In many cases children can’t understand and can’t tell the unbearable situation which is happening with them. As a result culprits are stays out of law as well as out of public eye.
Family and school should remain alert about the safety of their children. We need to take appropriate action to prevent such types of incidents and we will need to take immediate action to offer psychosocial support to the victimised children. Govt. should incorporate the safe use of internet in the textbook at secondary level and the relevant law must be strictly enforced. We must not take the issue lightly any longer. When we deliver the device to our children we should teach them how to use it safely and the bad effects of unrestricted use.
Let’s get introduced to the following online safety methods.
► We should have a parenting control option in the device. Provide a separate login id and password if needed, in that way you would be able to observe every activity of your children.
► Give them support to secure their personal information for opening a social account.
► Make sure the children doesn’t accept any free offer during the use of internet. Through this offer the hackers are spreading malware virus.
► Make sure to block your popup.
► Protect your computer by using virus guard.
► Teach your children not to show any body parts or organs in front of web cam or mobile camera by anyone’s request.
► Only use the educational and reliable website.
► Teach your children not to share any personal information, personal video with others.
► Don’t share your password with others.
Our society is not yet aware of children’s safety. Every day every moment a death trap is being created for them. And therefore, it is necessary to eliminate the indifference ensuring child safety and better childhood. Beside economic liberalisation, people should develop the path of human development and for this it is necessary to strengthen the family and social bondage. By analysing the overall subject, concerted efforts should be made to protect our precious children.