विश्व पुस्तक दिवस : किताब से दूर और सोशल मीडिया के पास जाती टीनएज लड़कियां.

23 अप्रैल को यूनेस्को द्वारा पुस्तक पढ़ने की प्रवृति को बढ़ावा देने के लिए विश्व भर में विश्व पुस्तक दिवस मनाया जाता है.

सोशल मीडिया के इस दौर में अब हर कोई किताबों से दूर हो रहा है और कोरोना काल में ऑनलाइन क्लास की वजह से मोबाइल का ज्यादा प्रयोग करते टीनएज बच्चे सबसे ज्यादा किताबों से दूर हुए हैं. 

सोशल मीडिया का बढ़ता प्रयोग इन बच्चों के लिए खतरनाक साबित हो रहा है, इन टीनएज बच्चों, खासतौर पर लड़कियों के लिए सोशल मीडिया ज्यादा खतरनाक है. टीएनज लड़कियों पर सोशल मीडिया के अधिक प्रयोग की वजह से क्या असर पड़ा है यह जानने के लिए हमने दिल्ली की जानीमानी काउंसलर 

से बात की और इसके साथ ही आजकल टीएनज बच्चों के किस तरह के मामले कोर्ट में सामने आ रहे हैं, यह जानकारी सामने लाने के लिए हम दिल्ली के वकील चंदन मिश्रा के पास पहुंचे. चंदन मिश्रा उच्च न्यायालय और सुप्रीम कोर्ट में दो दशक से अधिक समय से प्रैक्टिस कर रहे हैं. वह पीड़ित या आरोपी, युवाओं के साथ- साथ किशोरों के मामलों को भी देखते हैं. 

Q 1: What is the present situation of teenage girls nowadays according to you?

Ans : Compared to the teenage girls of the past, modern girls are more mature and less childish. The needs of today's teenagers differ greatly due to the immense use of social media and exposure. There is now a significant difference between the ideal and real life. While luxurious lifestyles were not available to most 10 years ago, they're now more widely accessible. Even if a luxurious lifestyle is not available, people tend to show off due to the content they see on social media. This increasing culture of comparison and bad habits is driving people further apart, and people consume more content today than ever before, which can have a significant impact on human psychology from an early age.

Q 2: Which types of cases are you currently dealing with, especially regarding teenage girls?

Ans : When it comes to teenage girls, we often find that they are not solely focused on their studies, as most of them are still in school or in the early years of college. Academic pressure complaints from parents or the teenagers themselves are relatively rare these days. Instead, we encounter a significant number of cases related to self-image issues and relationship problems. These issues are quite prevalent, and unfortunately, we also receive cases involving suicidal ideation among teenagers.

Q 3: Ma'am, you mentioned the word 'relationship.' Could you please explain its meaning and how it can get disturbed and possibly destroyed?

Ans : In the world of online dating, teenagers are presented with numerous choices on dating websites. Things have changed, and the old-fashioned methods no longer apply. Now, it is incredibly easy to swipe left or right to find a partner or different partners each weekend. I have observed that girls as young as 15, 16, and 17 years old are engaging in activities like clubbing with boys and having night outs on a regular basis. This behavior has become trendy for them due to the comparisons and social lives they see on platforms like Instagram or other social media apps and websites.

Q 4: What are the major problems you encounter in your cases, and how do you deal with them?

Ans : Over time, feelings, thoughts, and lifestyles have evolved, causing a disparity in mindsets, which is understandable. Life is moving at a rapid pace in this era, making it difficult for the older generation to keep up. One prominent issue faced by both girls and boys is the conflict between their desire to party until late at night, even till the early morning, and their parents' restrictions on such activities. While this may seem normal, it becomes a significant problem for teenagers who wish to enjoy and emulate the social lives they see on social media platforms. The entire thought process has changed, especially among teenagers attending school and interacting with their peers. They struggle to relate to their parents, creating a divide between what their parents believe and what the children understand. If parents fail to address and acknowledge their children's needs, this gap will only widen, leading to a lack of acceptance of their parents' beliefs by the child.

Q 5: Why is counseling necessary, and how do you approach counseling with teenagers?

Ans : Counseling is crucial because people have become more open and aware of the benefits it provides. In Western countries, it has become a common trend to seek therapy, with individuals having their own therapists. While it is understandable that the older generation may still be hesitant to approach therapy, school children and teenagers have normalized it. The government has also recognized the importance of counseling and mental health, making it mandatory for schools and colleges to have counselors on their premises to support the well-being of children.

To address this situation, it is vital to understand the belief systems of both parents and children. When handling such concerns, I always emphasize the importance of finding a middle ground. I encourage teenagers to consider that while their parents may be moving from point A to B, it is also their responsibility to make an effort to understand their parents' perspective. It is a two-way process where compromise and understanding are essential to finding common ground.

Q 6: What are the signs you typically come across when a teenager comes to you for counseling sessions?

Ans : People are still reluctant to admit that they require counseling or are talking to a counselor. However, some individuals are determined to break free from generational traumas. In terms of the signs I observe, teenagers often feel helpless and have body image and family-related issues. They compare their lives with others and strive to emulate the pictures they see on social media platforms, without realizing that those images may be fake. Body image issues are especially prevalent, with many people using filters to appear attractive in pictures, even when the reality may be very different.

Q 7: What suggestions do you have for our society?

Ans : It is crucial for individuals to be aware that not everything shown on social media is true. We must acknowledge that there is a lack of authenticity in this virtual world. Influencers play a significant role in society, and they should use their influence to promote positivity. In the age of social media, it is important for people to prioritize the value of time and money. We should place more importance on real-life experiences rather than getting caught up in the illusion of reel life, which often involves creating fake videos just to impress others and earn money.

Chandan Mishra is an advocate practicing in the High Court and Supreme Court with over two decades of experience. He also handles cases involving adolescents and teenagers who have either been victims or accused. To understand the mindset and current situation of teenagers, especially teenage girls, we had a conversation with Mr. Chandan Mishra, which is documented as follows.

Q-1. How is social media impacting teenage girls? Please share your views and opinions on this.

Ans- The usage of social media has a significant impact on teenage girls. It tends to distract them from their goals and make them lose track of time, as they are constantly exposed to new engaging content on these platforms. Unfortunately, a considerable amount of this content includes cruel and sexual material, which is being consumed by this age group. Even if teenagers are not initially interested, societal pressure and influence from friends often encourage them to watch such content. Moreover, if they are part of any social media groups or have friends or colleagues who share such content, it is almost unavoidable for them to come across it. This can lead to a mindset where they feel compelled to watch it, thinking that if everyone else is doing it, why shouldn't they? Sadly, society tends to amplify the negative impact of such content, affecting individuals at any age.

Q-2. Is the impact of social media more prominent in nuclear families or joint/big families?

Ans- The impact of social media is not exclusive to any particular family structure. Whether it is a nuclear family or a joint/big family, both can face these issues. Let's consider an example: If both parents are working and each child has a personal mobile phone, they can easily be influenced by their friends and the content they see on social media. They may not have the necessary knowledge to distinguish between what is right or wrong and end up imitating or making mistakes based on the content they encounter. Additionally, in middle-class and upper-class families, where parents may be busy with work or not able to provide constant supervision, children may be left alone and exposed to explicit or harmful content, increasing the risk of exploitation or vulnerability. Such cases have unfortunately been reported in the news. It is important for families, regardless of their structure, to be aware of these challenges and take measures to educate and protect their children from the negative impact of social media.

Q-3. Can online gaming impact a person's belief system?

Ans- Yes, online gaming, along with other online platforms, can have an influence on a person's belief system to some extent. Exposure to content on online platforms that promote certain religious beliefs or ideologies can play a role in shaping a person's religious views or beliefs. However, such changes are not guaranteed and may depend on various factors such as the individual's susceptibility to persuasion, their level of engagement with the content, and their overall worldview. It is important to note that such changes can occur in both genders, and it is not just limited to girls.

 I'd like to reiterate that these are my personal views and are not meant to disturb the peace and respect of any religion. I strongly believe in respecting all religions and beliefs.

Q-4. What are some government judgments and rules in India regarding the usage of social media among teenagers?

Ans- The government of India has implemented several guidelines and judgments in favor of responsible social media usage among teenagers. For instance, Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court has proposed the formation of a program by the Delhi government and state legal services to educate students about the norms, potential side-effects, and the importance of safeguarding personal information and pictures on social media platforms. There is also the IT Act, under Section 66, which grants the authorities the power to arrest individuals who send offensive messages or post unauthorized content on social media platforms. Additionally, in 2023, the Supreme Court of India urged social media users to exercise caution and be mindful of the impact and reach of their social media activities. These measures aim to promote responsible and safe social media usage, particularly among teenagers, in order to mitigate the potential negative consequences.

Q-5. What is your suggestion to people on this topic?

Ans- As an advocate and speaker, I would like to address some important aspects. 

1. The most important thing is the implementation of a parental control system in social media platforms, which parents should activate. With this system, parents can block profiles and accounts that they deem harmful for their children. Parents should be aware of what their children are viewing on social media apps and also spend quality time with them.

2. Additionally, I believe it is crucial to provide education on social media usage and its content. Governments should introduce educational programs on this topic as an effective measure to prevent immature and harmful activities.

Please note that these suggestions aim to promote responsible social media usage, and it is essential to adapt them to regional guidelines and regulations.