Blue Whale worries Chandigarh schools

CHANDIGARH: The ‘Blue Whale Challenge’ is weighing heavy on the minds of schoolteachers and parents, and is reigniting the debate on children’s activities in the “big bad world” of internet. For parents and schools, the job of keeping a round-the-clock tab on chilren’s online activities is a tough job.

The internet game, which purportedly eggs children on to kill themselves after a series of torturous activities, has even pushed the CBSE too reiterate that schools should monitor the use of internet on their premises and must sensitize parents too. In a recent circular that Chandigarh schools got from the CBSE, it was stated that: “Keeping in view that if children use the internet without safety awareness, they may fall prey to illegal activity or abuse such as cyber bullying, fraud or something even more serious.”

On speaking to heads of schools in Tricity, TOI found out that many of them had already been taking safety measures, but getting a hold of the children was not as easy as it seemed. “It is important for parents to define boundaries of children’s internet behavior, so that they learn ‘right and wrong’ practices. Children follow parental behaviour. Internet today is everywhere — you cannot deny it to children. So, itis important for schools to teach the concept of digital citizenship. We are doing it in our school,” said Robin Aggarwal, director of Learning Paths School, Mohali.

Chandigarh-based KBDAV-7 principal Pooja Parkash said all their computers were protected with anti-virus. “Children access computers under scrutiny and observation of teachers. We have taken the initiative to sensitize children about cybercrime, hackers and promote safe surfing, like not befriending strangers online, and keeping parents in the loop. In a workshop for teachers of DAV institutions under the aegis of DAV CAE, New Delhi, this burning issue was addressed and training was imparted regarding protection from various cyber crimes in April 2017,” she said.

Parents said they too were trying their best to monitor children. “I let my son use the phone for playing games in front of me. My elder daughter has her own phone. But, afer seeing the kind of activities kids are upto on social media, we changed her mobile set to a basic model,” said

Ravita Chanchal

, a parent from Zirakpur.

Schools have also been directed to follow directions given in the circular issued on July 29, 2009, regarding restrictions on using mobile phones in school to ensure safety of children.