THERE is sure to be some parents out there who are considering purchasing a cell phone as a gift for a child for Christmas. Nowadays, cell phones are very useful for children and young people who travel to and from school alone: Parents can communicate with them and be assured that their children are safe.

Some cell phones have games on them and these can keep children occupied for long periods of time, which isn’t such a bad idea if you are in a car on a long journey, but on the other hand, if you are trying to communicate with a child who always seems to be playing an electronic game, this can be a nuisance. Electronic games with all their bright colours and simulations can be addictive in a psychological way, so it is a parent’s responsibility to monitor the suitability, content and duration of everything their child does electronically. If you want to buy a child a cell phone, let it be a standard one for the reasons mentioned above and not a state-of-the-art ‘smart phone’ which enables them to do all sorts of things that parents cannot keep up with or navigate.

It may seem harmless to give a child unlimited access to the cyber world via a phone or other electronic devices, because the child seems reasonably happy and content, but there are many dangers in different forms that are lurking about in ‘cyber land’ and children are just too young and far too vulnerable to realise what the dangers are or how they can be affected; children need to be guided by adults. Having said that, even adults have been deceived and ‘taken in’ by deceitful people and bogus offers, etc. on the internet so children don’t really stand a chance when they are up against a perpetrator or someone who is up to no good. There are also a lot of distasteful images and ‘adult’ web sites to which children could be exposed quite innocently while having access to the ‘gateway to the world.’

The internet has been described as the ‘biggest invention since the wheel’ and like most things, it is fine when used in moderation and with a sense of discretion; but some people just do not have that type of self-control and they allow the cyber world to invade and take over their lives. Therefore, instead of them using the internet in a positive, healthy way, the internet ends up using them. There are stories where young people have been so overwhelmed by the ‘virtual world’ that the internet offers that they cease to live in the ‘real world.’ The internet then begins to rule their lives as nearly any and everything that a young person can ‘relate’ to can be found in cyber world.

In Guyana there was a time when most parents used to monitor the amount of television they allowed their children to watch, in fact in some households, watching television used to be a treat. However, during the past few decades, the intrigue of television has been replaced with a hand-held device that can link a person with any fantasy, fiction or ‘reality’ in which they may wish to live or indulge.

Adults are the only ones who can assist children into making sensible choices about their lifestyles, firstly, by example and then by being aware, staying alert and showing an interest in every aspect of their children’s lives. So if a cellular phone is on your Christmas ‘to get’ list, there is no need to cross it off, just be aware of what type of phone you are going to purchase and the intended purpose. In closing, parents, do not feel pressured into buying expensive items that you cannot afford just to make your children happy or to help them compete with their friends. Let their happiness be defined by your efforts and considerations in attempting to make their holiday season as pleasurable as possible.
If you are concerned about the welfare of the child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 on write to childcaregy@gmail.com
A message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection