In making the call for parents to be more intentional about monitoring their children’s social media use, child psychologist Professor Audrey Pottinger said children and adolescents have not mastered the skills to filter out or compartmentalise inappropriate or harmful information in the way that adults can.

Addressing a Kiwanis Club of New Kingston prayer breakfast recently, Prof Pottinger said, apart from the downside of becoming obsessed with social media and the potential for inappropriate content exposure, social media platforms provide easy access for youth to embrace whatever standards social media considers ‘good’, oftentimes leaving them feeling inadequate, left out, anxious, or doing whatever it takes to get ‘the likes’.

It’s a part of parenting in this new age that many people don’t acknowledge as worrying, as the phones and tablets act as babysitters, providing entertainment for children, keeping them occupied when parents need to focus or attend to other responsibilities.

As use of this new media grows, and we’re bombarded with videos and photos on every platform, it’s obvious to the onlooker that parents aren’t monitoring their children’s online activities as they should — the children’s postings on social media and presence in adult spaces prove this.

What is true is that social media platforms serve as breeding grounds for exploitation and manipulation. Without proper supervision, children become vulnerable to predators who lurk in the shadows, preying on their innocence and naivety.

The unfiltered nature of social media exposes children to content ranging from graphic violence to explicit material. Impressionable minds are left to navigate this minefield alone.

In the race for likes, not getting enough can trigger feelings of sadness, anger, humiliation, or shame. Continuous exposure to criticism can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Without parental oversight, children fall prey to the distorted realities peddled by influencers and celebrities, perpetuating unattainable standards of beauty, success and happiness. This toxic culture breeds insecurity, anxiety, and a warped sense of self, robbing children of their innocence.

We agree with Prof Pottinger that it is imperative that parents take an active role in monitoring their children’s social media usage. This entails establishing clear boundaries, setting age-appropriate restrictions, and engaging in open and honest conversations about the dangers that lurk online. To do otherwise is a dereliction of parental duty.

To those who espouse the virtues of free expression, note that parental oversight is not an infringement on individual liberty; it is a safeguard against exploitation and harm. Parents cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the perils of the digital age, nor should they abdicate their responsibility as guardians of the next generation.

The choice is clear: Stand idly by and watch our children fall prey to the dangers of the digital age, or take decisive action to protect and nurture their innocence.