Oman- Letters to the editor: Parental control essential for smartphone use

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) The news about the killer Blue Whale game, due to which some children lost lives in India, is worrying parents. Most of the children these days like to play such risky games.

Working parents must keep an eye on their children who stay alone at home after their school hours. They should monitor their activities randomly and restrict mobile phone use. Parents have to find ways and means to discourage their children from playing such dangerous games by making them aware of the consequences.

Children should be made to understand how to use phones. They should be allowed to talk to friends and family. Their access to social media should be monitored.

They should be encouraged to play games such as 'Subway Surfers', 'Pet Rescue Saga' and 'Candy Crush Soda Saga' which do not take them to wrong paths in life.

Children who have smartphones given by their parents believe that they will use them for their study-related assignments. As a precautionary measure, parents should remove dangerous games from smartphones before handing them over to the children.

The authorities too must ensure that games of dangerous nature are banned in the country.
Athira R Nair
Via email