Be friends with kids, advise experts as cops flag Insta concerns
Times of India | 3 June 2025
Kolkata: If you have a teenager, who spends a good part of the day on social media, it is important that you try and know how your ward is conducting himself or herself in the virtual world. With message to the parents, Lalbazar has asked them to be vigilant about their children's online activities, especially Instagram and FaceTime, to ensure they do not become victims of cybercrime. The Kolkata Police cyber cell has posted a 22-second video on their X handle in this regard. The post, in Bengali, aims to address a larger section of residents. "Be friends with your children. Teach them about the latest online crimes. Check where they are going and whom they are in touch with. Try to understand what they want. Do not merely rebuke them," stated the post.Cops stated that with cases of Instagram stalking and threats on the rise, parents need to "become friends" with their children and keep talking to them to understand what they are experiencing in the virtual world. "My child is in Class 8. At the end of the day, I make it a point to speak to him about his day, his interaction with friends, most of which happen online during the day. I have ensured that in this relationship, we trust each other," said Angshuman Roy, a techie residing at Patuli. Cops recalled how a parent had filed a case last year against a social media platform under the Pocso Act. The complaint alleged that the Meta-owned photosharing platform Instagram of hosting indecent content featuring children. A FIR was filed by the cyber police station of Dakshin Dinajpur named Instagram as a co-accused in an offence under Section 12 of the Pocso Act and Section 67 (B) of the IT Act, 2000."I have a daughter who is entering college this year. Her life revcolves around Instagram. I have had number of conversations with her on this issue. Initially resistant, she now realizes that it is for her own good that I am kept in the loop. However, I make it a point not to intrude in her piracy," said Ritika Sen, a single mother. The post has also provided the 1930 number to report any cybercrime involving a child. The police have also asked anyone facing cyberbullying to contact the 1930 helpline number immediately for redress rather than suffer silently. "Children have access to smartphones from a very early age now. This results in easy access to the internet even as they remain unaware of the basic safeguards they need to maintain. Cyberbullying is a serious issue, where random people needlessly troll others insensitively during online interaction. Here, the role of the parent is important, and guiding the child—who can get easily influenced by peers—needs to be done. Hence, there is more need for cyber security awareness among children as well as the parents, which can keep the wards safe," said the officer.Shovana Mukherji, a counsellor who specializes in conseling minors insist that parental involvement should be supportive not intrusive. "While monitoring is understandable, it should be done transparently with an emphasis on open conversation. Excessive monitoring can damage trust, sense of self-identity, increase secrecy and strain the parent-child relationship. Instead of only monitoring content, parents should be encouraged to educate the vulnerable children about safe online practices," said Mukherji. Schools are also aware of the social media challenges and are encouraging parents to play an important role in preventing children. Rishi Aurobindo Memorial Academy principal Bobby Baxter said, "We understand that social media can be a powerful tool for communication and self-expression, but it can also be misused in ways that can harm individuals. We educate our students and parents through awareness and workshop programmes and counselling with the help of the local cyber cell."Bivas Chatterjee, special PP and cyber law expert, stated that there should be caution in uploading a child's information. "Whether it is the Pocso Act or Juvenile Justice Act, the child's rights are protected. The US and European nations are dealing with multiple suits on this issue. It just goes on to show that a child's rights are sacrosanct, and parents have a responsibility in safeguarding the same," said Chatterjee.