According to the study, a significant percentage of parents (75%) say their biggest concern about their children’s internet use is exposing them to inappropriate content or being contacted online by unknown people (70%). In addition, 59% of parents fear that their children could be victims of Internet crimes.
In the digital age we live in, the use of social media has become a part of our lives, including for children. It is essential to note both the positive and negative aspects of this reality.
The representatives of the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection Constanța come with the explanations of this phenomenon. Regarding the positive impact of using social networks and watching video content, it can be constituted by several aspects.
,,The first aspect is about social connectivity, children can use social networks to maintain and develop their social relationships, communicating with their friends and family. The second aspect relates to educational opportunities, viewing educational video content can improve children’s cognitive skills and creativity by giving them access to a variety of useful information and resources. And the third aspect concerns the appreciation of diversity. Through exposure to video content from various cultures and perspectives, children can have a broader and more tolerant understanding of the world around them”, said the spokesperson of the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection Constanța for the editors of “Cuget Liber” , Roxana Dinu.
Regarding the negative impact of children’s social media use and video viewing, it can take many forms.
It is important to mention that, according to the legislation in force, parents are the first to be called upon to respect and guarantee the rights of the child, as the main managers of these rights, but also as their legal representatives and holders of a consistent package of correlative obligations.
“Parents are the ones who are fully responsible for the way they understand to ensure the growth, education and development of the child, they have the obligation to exercise their rights and fulfill their parental obligations respecting the best interest of the child. The intervention of the state is complementary, it ensures the protection of the child and guarantees the respect of all his rights through the specific activity carried out by the state institutions and implicitly by the public authorities with attributions in the field”, concludes the spokesperson of the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection, Roxana Dinu .
Prevention is key in promoting responsible online behavior and parents need to communicate openly with their children and constantly monitor their internet activity.
