This is not a blog post that was planned, but rather a sudden outburst of sad feeling that I got after I saw a news on TV.
It was about a 7 years old girl, who was studying in Class 1. She downloaded the infamous "Blue Whale" game to play as she was forced to do so by her seniors (studying in 3rd & 4th grade) in the school. Another channel at the same time was flashing a similar news about a teenager who committed suicide after playing this game of challenge, which has "Suicide & Win" as the last challenge. I was totally shocked watching the news.
I am not able to understand what those parents were doing? I believe, all such problems arise only when the parents build pressure on their children to become, 'the topper' in academics, cocurricular and extra curricular activities to 'prove' to world that they are simply superb and smart.... but why? As part of this effort, parents expose even small kids to "smart(?) phones" and other gadgets. What is the need of giving a smart phone to young children and encourage them to play addictive games. Let me declare here, no games are downloaded in my mobile phone nor I make my child play them. I feel, there is no 'pride' in telling others that "my child is smart enough to play video games or online games well".
We quite often see parents who are 'busy' with their own life & they are always happy to give their kid a phone or any gadget to keep them engaged, but they don't realise that they are isolating their kids. There are some parents who happily say---referring to the inappropriate adult talk that their kids indulge in---"my child is much matured than his peer group"?!! Why the child needs to be matured...let the child be a child...let them enjoy their life, doing all the possible silly and mischievous stuff at home,...let them play in the ground, have silly fights, sustain minor injuiries, feel a hurt & learn how to get over it. This will prepare them to face challenges of life with confidence. We, the parents, expect our kids to excel in everything, force them too much, make them feel as if they are at 20 when they are hardly 10 years old or even younger than that. It is surprising to see parents push the kids to participate in so many 'stupid children reality shows' telecasted in television channels. They even applaud the kids without realising that the kids are talking inappropriate dialogues at a tender age. The way the reality shows run for children in television is certainly a nightmare to me.
Parents working hard and sacrificing many of their 'needs and wants' to raise their children in a special protective environment that will help them succeed in life, but the billion dollar question is, are we heading in the correct direction? Can money, luxury and exposure to technology alone be enough for moulding them for the happy and successful future?
When I travel back to my school days, I vividly remember the moral science classes that we used to have once in a week. At that point in time, we felt it is a great class only because we don't need to write anything and hence simply enjoy the class, but now, I feel, it was a good learning exercise and we did learn more about moral values subconsciously. Today there is no such hour in many schools. Thanks to the overwhelming commitment displayed by the parents who are more bothered about 'marks' rather than 'morals'.
What is the use of such an education? Is this predicament because of our (parents) care or carelessness? Think about it friends. Let's educate our children to become a 'self confident person', who is capable of 'appreciating life' and have some 'moral values'. Let them not excel in playing such terrific online games. Of course, in this digital age, it is essential for kids to get an exposure to technology, but in a positive manner. They can use many educational games available online. There are age-appropriate education games too. Please take some time out to sit with your children and help them realise what is more important to them in life. Never get carried away by their trantums, remember, you are the parent! Make it a point to engage them in some extracurricular activities. Be their friend so that they will get back to you for their emotional needs rather than taking recourse to electronics gadgets or drugs to vent out their stress. Be assertive yet sensitive & receptive.
Please believe that, we are the ones who are going to take responsibility for building a better future for our children and the nation.
Take care of your child!! All the best!
- Suganthi Sankaran
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