The authorities should also take some responsibility in regulating internet content.
KARACHI: The internet is no doubt a great facility bequeathed to us by science. But sometimes, I think that it might just be a bane if not used wisely.
While searching on anything, even completely academic stuff, one can’t help but spot much unacceptable content on side advertisements and pop-ups which are certainly not healthy for our youngsters. Many teenagers who use the internet for purely academic purpose may be greatly tempted to click on such explicit content.
One wonders why the regulatory authorities are not moving to put a stop to such links. Internet sites that are frequented by students should be regularly monitored.
There are many youngsters who are tempted by such links and videos and as a result, they waste their time in unhealthy activities such as surfing through explicit content. It may be suggested that cases of rape and sexual harassment are correlated to this kind of content which is consumed by the youth.
The bottom line, however, is that our youth needs to focus on education, career-building and moral values. In this whirlpool of free access to information, it is difficult for parents to keep tabs on their children. Children need to use the internet for school and college work. How much can parents monitor them?
It can be said that parents should nurture and raise their children in a way that they don’t stray on the wrong path. But having said that, the authorities should also take some responsibility in regulating internet content. It is, after all, a question of our youth’s future and our country’s progress.
Shaista Mubeen
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2014.
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