What about connecting with like-minded kids around the world?
Entrepreneur and mother of two, Subha Shrinivasan thinks this could be a great idea. âIntroducing an under 13 version with all the safety measures in place is a great idea if kids use it in a meaningful way. They can show their talent and attract an audience for themselves, and refine and grow with the response they receive. They can connect with children of similar interests and talents all over the world. They can even run their own reality TV show (IGTV). The benefits are many and it is definitely a fun way. For Gowthami Saraf, parent of a teenager and a pre-teen, this comes with its fair share of challenges. âWith too much internet and social media, our kids can become digital zombies. The other aspect is that without the Internet, they will lose their learning, âshe said.
Too much gadget time may not be good
For parents like Mousumi Hari, a mother of two, supervising their activity becomes a problem. âKids use social media apps with different IDs and monitoring their online activity can be a problem. Other than privacy, I wouldn’t want my kids to learn certain things at this age that they could access through such apps. While Meenakshi Singh, also a mother of two, agrees: âIt is not a good idea to expose them so early when they are in the repair phase. Children are already very fond of gadgets, whether for study or for play, which leads to disconnection from physical activities and leads to poor health and growth.
Data Privacy and Security Concerns Data compromise is another big concern for parents. âMy concern is dependency and also security. Personal data and geolocation of children should not be collected. Additionally, tantalizing techniques should not be used to keep kids hooked on their gadgets. Excessive filters to change their appearance could reduce their self-esteem and end up hating their true appearance, âGauthami points out.
IS IT SURE?
Advantages
With appropriate security, can be a platform for safe interaction
Avenue for children to express themselves
The inconvenients
Peer pressure
Internet harassment
Compromised private photos
A breeding ground for early encounters