Times meet addresses parenting and schooling challenges in the digital age

KOLKATA: In an age when adolescents are gripped by the digital fever and the society's moral fabric is undergoing a colossal change, the equation between parents, schools and students too, demands a subsequent upgrade. Endorsing the need to come up with modern solutions to

modern problems

, Times Principals' Conclave held on Saturday attempted to explore the challenges of

parenting and schooling

in the contemporary context.


Presented by Vidyamandir Classes, powered by Om Dayal Engineering College and in association with Ei Samay, Times Principals' Conclave also had Saraswati Online.Com as its associate partner. The inaugural lamp was lit in presence of Alok Tibrewal, secretary, Om Dayal Group of institutions; Shreya Ghosh, assistant manager, sales and marketing, Saraswati Online.Com; Bob Roy, resident editor, Times Response and Arjun Chakraborty, veteran actor.

Up next, additional deputy commissioner of police,

cybercrime

cell, IPS Aparajita Rai conducted a session on the threats and consequences of cybercrime and security.

Through an interactive session, she elucidated how schools and parents can prevent vulnerable youngsters become victims or perpetrators of internet risks like monetary frauds, harassment, substance abuse and gaming addiction through increased awareness.

A panel discussion next was attended by Debang Gandhi, former Indian cricketer; Ronita Sinha, educational entrepreneur; Dr Sharmistha Chakraborty, psychiatrist; Dr Dipankar Sarkar, head of critical care unit at a city hospital; Dr Abantika Mukherjee, dentist and Dr Debashish Basu, diabetologist.

Through an interactive session with pricnipals and parents in the audience, the panelists attempted to explore the challenges of preserving physical and mental wellbeing of wards amidst threats such as lifestyle diseases,lack of physical activities, digital addiction, peer and societal pressure and sky-high parental expectations.

The biggest takeaway from the event was that schools and guardians should collaborate more proactively to recognise individual difference in children and inculcate the right values which would enable them to navigate the ebbs and flows of life.