New Delhi: A new study on the impact of smartphone and internet use based on a survey of over 3400 school-going children shows that 42.9% of the respondents admitted to having a social networking account. Children can easily create accounts and stress the need to ensure their safety to prevent harassment and abuse, the study commissioned by. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights It also brings up a major concern that a large proportion of 10-year-olds have social media accounts.
It finds that 37.8% and 24.3% of 10-year-olds surveyed have Facebook and Instagram account respectively. The study cited it as “appearing to be in violation” of the guidelines set by various social networking platforms. It is shared that as far as Facebook and Instagram are concerned, the age barrier for creating an account is 13 years.
“Social media platforms contain and spread a wide variety of content, many of which are neither appropriate nor child-friendly. They can be anything from violent or pornographic content to online abuse and bullying of children. Therefore, in this regard, there is a need for proper oversight and strict enforcement,” it said in the study which comes in the backdrop of the pandemic.
Of all the children who have accounts on the major social networking apps/sites they use, Facebook (used by 36.8 percent) – Instagram (used by 45.50 percent) is the most popular. When asked about the features/features that children like to use or enjoy on smartphones/internet devices, 52.9 percent answered in the form of ‘chatting’. Whatsapp/Facebook/Instagram/Snapchat)’.
Smartphones and the Internet have become an important link between education for children and the outside world due to the pandemic, with the study showing that 30.2% of children aged 8 to 18 already have their own smartphones and its usage is increasing rapidly with age. shows growth. 13 years and onwards. A significantly higher 94.8% of children said they use smartphones/internet devices for online learning and classes these days. Other major purposes of use include; Referring to messaging applications, study material, music and games.
The data revealed that the most prominent means for children to access smartphones and the Internet is through their parents’ phones, with 62.6% saying so. Also over 48% of children agreed and 45.30% strongly agreed that the world they live in today is addicted to cell phones.
The study also highlights that while 29.7% of children feel that the pandemic has had a ‘very’ negative impact, 43.7% believe it has had a ‘partial’ negative impact on their education. The report further said that it is clear that students of all age groups feel that their education has been affected due to the pandemic and somehow online education has not been good enough.
ncPCR Principal Priyank Kanungo said that in the backdrop of the pandemic, with increasing access to the Internet by children, this study focuses on the impact of mobile phone and other devices use on a child’s physical, behavioral and psycho-social well-being. The study was conducted by the research team of Mumbai-based NGO Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini for NCPCR between July and December last year and has now been compiled into a single analysis.
The study involved 5,811 participants – 3,491 school-going children, 1,534 parents and 786 teachers from 60 schools, selected from six states across the country. Of the respondents, 50.9% are boys and 49.1% are girls. The age group most represented in the survey is children between 12-17 years. The study is based on participants’ responses from areas of the past, West, North, South and North-Eastern regions) selected a metropolitan city and surrounding urban and rural areas. Cities include Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bhubaneswar/Ranchi and Guwahati.
Based on the findings, NCPCR also makes several recommendations. It is suggested that more internet de-addiction centers should be established in the country like AIIMS behavioral addiction The clinic is working with schools and universities to create awareness on the subject.
Since children access the Internet, apps and social media platforms through an Internet service connection in the name of their parents, there is no data on how many children are using the Internet privately. The report therefore recommends that the mobile internet service connection should be given in the name of the child as a proxy accountability as in the case of a minor’s bank account, otherwise when the parents purchase a connection for the child in their name. If they are, they must give a declaration that the connection will be used by the child, to ensure that the data can be retained and to protect children from abuse. It has been said that it can also help in providing filters and restrictions by service providers/intermediary platforms. “Also, a report can be generated on a daily basis and forwarded automatically to the linked number/connection or email of the parent/guardian,” it suggested.
It finds that 37.8% and 24.3% of 10-year-olds surveyed have Facebook and Instagram account respectively. The study cited it as “appearing to be in violation” of the guidelines set by various social networking platforms. It is shared that as far as Facebook and Instagram are concerned, the age barrier for creating an account is 13 years.
“Social media platforms contain and spread a wide variety of content, many of which are neither appropriate nor child-friendly. They can be anything from violent or pornographic content to online abuse and bullying of children. Therefore, in this regard, there is a need for proper oversight and strict enforcement,” it said in the study which comes in the backdrop of the pandemic.
Of all the children who have accounts on the major social networking apps/sites they use, Facebook (used by 36.8 percent) – Instagram (used by 45.50 percent) is the most popular. When asked about the features/features that children like to use or enjoy on smartphones/internet devices, 52.9 percent answered in the form of ‘chatting’. Whatsapp/Facebook/Instagram/Snapchat)’.
Smartphones and the Internet have become an important link between education for children and the outside world due to the pandemic, with the study showing that 30.2% of children aged 8 to 18 already have their own smartphones and its usage is increasing rapidly with age. shows growth. 13 years and onwards. A significantly higher 94.8% of children said they use smartphones/internet devices for online learning and classes these days. Other major purposes of use include; Referring to messaging applications, study material, music and games.
The data revealed that the most prominent means for children to access smartphones and the Internet is through their parents’ phones, with 62.6% saying so. Also over 48% of children agreed and 45.30% strongly agreed that the world they live in today is addicted to cell phones.
The study also highlights that while 29.7% of children feel that the pandemic has had a ‘very’ negative impact, 43.7% believe it has had a ‘partial’ negative impact on their education. The report further said that it is clear that students of all age groups feel that their education has been affected due to the pandemic and somehow online education has not been good enough.
ncPCR Principal Priyank Kanungo said that in the backdrop of the pandemic, with increasing access to the Internet by children, this study focuses on the impact of mobile phone and other devices use on a child’s physical, behavioral and psycho-social well-being. The study was conducted by the research team of Mumbai-based NGO Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini for NCPCR between July and December last year and has now been compiled into a single analysis.
The study involved 5,811 participants – 3,491 school-going children, 1,534 parents and 786 teachers from 60 schools, selected from six states across the country. Of the respondents, 50.9% are boys and 49.1% are girls. The age group most represented in the survey is children between 12-17 years. The study is based on participants’ responses from areas of the past, West, North, South and North-Eastern regions) selected a metropolitan city and surrounding urban and rural areas. Cities include Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bhubaneswar/Ranchi and Guwahati.
Based on the findings, NCPCR also makes several recommendations. It is suggested that more internet de-addiction centers should be established in the country like AIIMS behavioral addiction The clinic is working with schools and universities to create awareness on the subject.
Since children access the Internet, apps and social media platforms through an Internet service connection in the name of their parents, there is no data on how many children are using the Internet privately. The report therefore recommends that the mobile internet service connection should be given in the name of the child as a proxy accountability as in the case of a minor’s bank account, otherwise when the parents purchase a connection for the child in their name. If they are, they must give a declaration that the connection will be used by the child, to ensure that the data can be retained and to protect children from abuse. It has been said that it can also help in providing filters and restrictions by service providers/intermediary platforms. “Also, a report can be generated on a daily basis and forwarded automatically to the linked number/connection or email of the parent/guardian,” it suggested.
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