Children’s addiction to digital media and online world threats
You get on a bus, tram, or wait at a stop. You look around. There are many children, each holding a phone. They have Facebook, Instagram, TikTok open… watching videos, listening to influencers, or reading comments. Addiction to digital technologies is an increasing problem, and the numbers show a steady rise. Intensive internet use is also linked to threats that minors face—cyberbullying, online grooming. Effective defence lies in parents, teachers, education, and communication.
Key Takeaways:
- The number of children addicted to digital technologies is growing.
- The number of minors who have faced online threats—whether cyberbullying, fake advertising, disinformation, or sexual abuse—is also increasing.
- Both cases have serious impacts on the child’s mental and physical state, which in extreme cases may lead to self-harm or suicide.
- Prevention and rescue lie with parents and teachers. Children need to be educated about
the digital world, develop critical thinking, and engage in regular conversations.
Policy brief – Irena Krcháková
The analysis is in PDF under the link below.
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