Saturday, 15 July 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
A combination of factors like improper parenting, digital illiteracy and internet dependency are pushing young adults toward cyber addiction. Experts point out that cyber addiction among children has also resulted in an increase in the cases of cyber crime in the State. They opined that Covid -19 pandemic seems to be a major reason for the current cyber addiction among young adults. Excessive use of the internet leads to cyber crime, which may also cause young adults to tak extreme steps like committing suicide, said experts.
Commenting on the cyber addiction among young adults, a parent Sushma Talwar said that the Covid pandemic had impacted everyone’s life in some or the other way. She said that Covid-19 had caused considerable changes in the life of children. It made the youngsters adapt to the internet to solve any issue. However, the excessive use of the phone and internet leads to cyber crime, she opined.
Cyber crime and intelligence consultant Nitin Pandey told this correspondent, “The Covid-19 pandemic has caused internet and phone dependency among children. Cyber crime nowadays can be done in any form, it can be done through gaming and other ways. Lack of parental guidance and internet dependency are some common factors which encourage the youngsters towards cyber addiction.”
He further said cyber crime can sometimes lead to suicide. He said that he personally encountered religious conversion cases which are also the result of cyber crime. To overcome the cases of cyber crime, parents must monitor and limit the time of their children using phones and the internet. Apart from this schools must organise some sessions for their students related to cybercrime, he added.
Clinical psychologist Mukul Sharma said, “About 64 per cent of cyber cases have been encountered in Dehradun among children. Lack of communication and covid-19 have increased the pace of cyber addiction among children. However, depression, suicide, and disorder are some ill effects of cybercrime. Parents and school management must become responsible for cyber addiction and cybercrime among children. Parents should keep a check on their children’s activity. Apart from this, schools should plan some awareness programmes related to cyber crime.”
