In age of social-media explosion and ‘friendships’, counsellors urge caution
Times of India | 30 April 2025
Kolkata: In the wake of the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl by her friends, counsellors have flagged concerns over friendships made on social media and the propensity to take the online relationships forward, urging parents to tell their children to tread cautiously and avoid high-risk behaviour. Most importantly, they urge parents of boys to teach them to be good human beings.
Calling the incident an eye-opener, several counsellors suggested that parents should encourage children to speak to them while being vigilant and setting certain house rules on what is acceptable and what isn't. Shovona Mukherji, a psychological counsellor, said: "Parents have a major role in dealing with teens. They should behave like friends so that their children can trust them. Instead of scolding them, parents should openly discuss matters with them and clear their doubts. Kids should grow up in a family atmosphere where they learn to respect everyone, especially women."
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Bansdroni resident Arpita Bagchi, whose daughter is a Class VIII student of a school near Netaji Nagar, explained her philosophy of responsible parenthood. "Being parents, it is not about being intrusive; it is about being involved. A gathering at a resort or someone's house without adult supervision can create a space where lines of comfort and intimacy get blurred. That's why we talk, listen, and guide — not to control, but to protect and prepare."
Psychotherapist Tilottama Mukherjee said parents needed to be aware of the fast-changing behaviour of teens. "Teenagers now have a propensity to take risks and don't hesitate in exposing themselves to adult content or access dating sites. It is incumbent on parents to provide their children with a safe space to discuss openly regarding their relationships or anything else," said Mukherjee.
Payel Chakraborty, parent of a boy who studies in class X in a Salt Lake school, said: "We have taught him to ensure that he does not make anyone feel uncomfortable, be it a girl or a boy. We have taught him to respect others and that starts at home. He is respectful and responsible towards his twin sisters."
Balanced parenting can help teenagers, especially adolescents, create safe boundaries in relationships, felt psychotherapist Salony Priya, founder of Ummeed Counselling. "Too much exposure to social media is making some teenagers challenge social norms. Their minds get diverted because of high exposure to adult content, and the aftermath can be seen in incidents such as the rape that has been reported. Children need to be counselled properly from the age of 10 or 11 years, and in my parenting workshops, I focus on relationships, trust issues, and safety."
Tanya Moulik, a Beliaghata resident, whose daughter is a Class V student in an English-medium school near Park Circus, said she always tells her daughter that freedom comes with responsibility. I don't stop her from going out with friends, but before giving consent, I ask who she is going out with and ensure that they are under the supervision of an adult." Most parents also expressed concern about screen time and what children do online.