Internet is not for Innocents: Risks for Children Online

Presented at the seminar organized by the Freedom Forum Nepal in Kathmandu in November 2017.

1. Internet is not for Innocents! Risks for Children Online Ujjwal Acharya Center for Media Research - Nepal

2. The internet has been a boon and a curse for teenagers. - J. K. Rowling

3. Social Internet Internet penetration 62% 97% access internet via mobile devices Teenagers 84,00,000 + Facebook Users in Nepal 11% FB users below 17 26.5%

4. CWIN-Nepal’s Study 2009 91.5% have heard of or had bad experiences on the internet. Of these, 75.2% saw shocking images like pornography, 67% encountered abusive language, 67.8% experienced bullying and harassment. 11% children talk about sex online with people they don’t know. 36% children watch sexual materials on purpose.

5. Computer and internet education seems to be technology-oriented. The aspect of philosophy, science and awareness needs to be added. This will help give the students the right direction from an early age towards the good use of this special media. Freedom Forum (2017)

6. The Undesirables Inappropriate Contact Inappropriate Conduct Inappropriate Content

7. Cyberbullying Sexual Solicitation Exposure to Sexual Contents Privacy / Personal Information Inappropriate Behaviors Internet Addiction

8. Cyberbullying

9. Cyberbullying is bullying over digital devices through SMS, Text, and apps, or online where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, private or mean content about someone else. StopBullying.gov

10. Cyber bullying can damage children’s self-esteem and pose a threat to their psychological well-being. It may also lead to a situation when the children are forced to act illegal or improper such falling victim of blackmailing to suicide.

11. Sexual Solicitation

12. Requests for sexual contact, sexual talk, sending or soliciting sexual photographs, or the disclosure of unwanted sexual information.

13. Aggressive sexual solicitation can include solicitation that is carried out offline (including phone or in person) or coercing children to perform sexual activities on webcam.

14. Exposure to Sexual Contents

15. Sexual contents are abound on the internet; and due to their aggressive advertising and prevalence, it’s impossible not to stumble upon sexual contents while using internet.

16. One of the worst dangers of the Internet, for many parents, is the idea that pornography could pop up and surprise their children but parents may not realize that some kids are going online to seek out web porn, too.

17. Early exposure to sexual contents early and high risk sexual activities sexual addictions sexual violence delinquent behavior substance use depression

18. Personal Information

19. Personal or private information online including pictures, videos, addresses and phone numbers, even dis/likes or hobbies, increase & risk of cyber bullying, sexual solicitation, and identity theft.

20. The internet is not a private space; and the materials on the internet are permanent. Many children and teenagers think that the things are posting online remains within the circle of their friends.

21. Inappropriate Behaviors

22. Illegal? Indecent? Consequences? P osting a funny photo of a friend Downloading a song or a movie Connecting to an unauthorized wifi Using softwares Uploading dance video Keeping wifi free or sharing password Gambling or betting online

23. Internet Addiction

24. A person with Internet Use Disorder will experience “preoccupation” with the internet, withdrawal symptoms when the substance (internet) is no longer available, tolerance (the need to spend more and more time on the internet), loss of other interests, unsuccessful attempts to quit, and use of the internet to improve or escape dysphoric mood. - American Psychiatric Association

25. Internet addiction disrupts nerve wiring in the brains of teenagers just as in people exposed to alcohol, cocaine and cannabis

26. Nepal lacks Legal mechanism Practical help system Digital literacy / education Awareness programs

27. What can parents, teachers and guardians do?

28. Thank You @UjjwalAcharya [email protected] Center for Media Research - Nepal