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With Gen Alpha already leading the latest wave of memes (skibidi toilet, anyone? No one?), it can start to feel like toddlers are learning to scroll before they can walk. With social media turning out to become a massive part of growing up nowadays, Australia has become the first nation to step up with plans to ban it for minors. This has sparked a question that desperately needs to be answered: just how much is too much when it comes to kids on social media? The risks aren’t just rumours. Researchers have been raising red flags for years, suggesting that too much screen time at a young age can have lasting effects. So, let’s take a look at what science has to say about how early exposure to social media affects kids’ minds, moods, and everything in between. <h2>The sleep struggle</h2>It’s not just adult sleep that gets disrupted by blue light — it’s kids’ sleep too, only they’re even more vulnerable. Screens, especially before bedtime, can delay the release of melatonin, the hormone that tells our bodies it’s time to sleep. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who use screens near bedtime often get less sleep and end up feeling groggy the next day. That leads to more than just fatigue; lack of sleep can also affect kids' learning, memory, and even mood stability. <h2>Scrolling through emotions</h2>The social media effect on mental health is a bit like playing with fire. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, while moderate use can boost self-esteem and help kids feel more connected, too much can tip the scales the other way. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="115056492" title="I&amp;#39;m a mom of 6 and don&amp;#39;t throw birthday parties after age 1. Kids don&amp;#39;t remember them and they are a waste of money." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Excessive social media can lead to anxiety, depression, and lower self-worth. Kids may also suffer from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), as they constantly compare themselves to the perfect-looking snapshots of others. Imagine dealing with that pressure before you even hit high school — it’s no wonder it’s causing stress for young minds. <h2>Attention span on shuffle mode</h2>Social media doesn’t just grab kids’ attention; it keeps it on a fast-paced rollercoaster. Research from multiple regions, including India, shows that children who spend a lot of time on social media might find it harder to stay focused on tasks without instant rewards. The endless cycle of quick likes and notifications can make schoolwork and even daily routines feel sluggish by comparison. Think of it as training kids’ brains to expect rewards on a constant, rapid-fire basis — something that real life just doesn’t offer. <h2>Virtual friends vs. real connections</h2>Kids might feel like they have tons of friends online, but are those connections as meaningful as the ones they’d make in person? UCLA researchers found that kids who spend a lot of time online may struggle to develop strong social skills in real life, like reading body language and empathy. This doesn’t mean that social media is all bad; for marginalised kids or those who have niche interests, it can provide a sense of belonging and community. But the danger is when those virtual friendships start replacing real ones, making it harder for kids to connect offline. <h2>Cyberbullying and online harassment</h2>The internet has its darker sides too, and cyberbullying tops the list. According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, more than half of adolescents have experienced cyberbullying in some form. Unlike traditional bullying, which might stop once the school bell rings, online bullying can follow kids home, affecting their mental health long-term. Kids who face bullying online are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and even thoughts of self-harm, making the need for boundaries even clearer. <h2>Body image battles</h2>Apps like Instagram and TikTok are fun — but they can also be a trap for body image issues, especially for girls. A study published in the Body Image Journal found that young girls who frequently use social media are more likely to experience body dissatisfaction. When kids see a constant feed of “perfect” lives and appearances, they can start to feel that they don’t measure up, even if they’re barely old enough to understand the concept of self-esteem.<h2>To post or not to post?</h2>Despite the risks, social media isn't all bad. When used responsibly, it can be a powerful tool for learning and creativity. These platforms can enhance creative expression and provide educational content that supports academic growth. For children with special interests or those who feel isolated, online communities can offer a sense of belonging and support. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="115028734" title="I was a teen dad on food stamps. Now that I&amp;#39;m a multimillionaire, teaching my kids to appreciate money is really difficult." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>As we continue to integrate technology into every aspect of our lives, understanding and mitigating its impacts on our youngest members becomes ever more crucial. F or parents and caregivers, the key lies in setting boundaries, fostering open communication, and guiding children to navigate the digital world thoughtfully. Australia’s stance might just be the catalyst needed to inspire similar protective measures worldwide, ensuring that children can enjoy the benefits of technology without falling prey to its pitfalls.

Scrolling to doom? Here's what happens to kids when they are exposed to social media early in their lives

Former foreign secretary Harshvardan Shringla has said that <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> needs to engage with those in power now in <keyword id="19919639" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bangladesh" source="keywords">Bangladesh</keyword>, as instability in the neighbouring country has a direct impact on the security scenario of the Northeastern region. Shringla said this at a programme in which a report on <keyword id="22838676" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="policy-options" source="keywords">policy options</keyword> for India in dealing with the current Bangladesh situation was released. The report, to be submitted to the Centre, was prepared by a think tank Society to Harmonise Aspirations for Responsible Engagement (SHARE). The political <keyword id="22838204" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="instability-in-Bangladesh" source="keywords">instability in Bangladesh</keyword> has direct repercussions both on security and developmental projects in <keyword id="19953073" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="North-East-India" source="keywords">North East India</keyword>, security and defence experts, who are members of SHARE, said at the event. "India has to engage with those in power or those behind the powers in Bangladesh as stability in the neighbourhood has a direct import to the security scenario of North East India. "We have two core concerns - Bangladesh's territory not be used in any manner inimical to its (India's) interests and ensuring the safety of <keyword id="22838205" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindus-and-other-minorities" source="keywords">Hindus and other minorities</keyword> in the neighbouring country," the former ambassador to Bangladesh said. Shringla also said that the recommendations in this report are prefaced by three key facts -- it remains uncertain who is currently responsible for policy making in Bangladesh, there is palpable anti-India sentiments in the neighbouring country, and finally, <keyword id="19951169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-stability" source="keywords">economic stability</keyword> and employment generation there. The report will submitted to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the National Security Advisor for implementation, former Eastern Command GOC-in-C Lt Gen R P Kalita (Retd) said at the event. Ex-Ladakh Lt Governor R K Mathur said that care has been taken to ensure the recommendations are "implementable and acceptable to all sections and ideologies" as the neighbouring country goes through socio-political upheaval. "The recommendations are divided into short, medium and long-term so as to ensure a staged approach to policymaking on India's part which is mutually acceptable," the former defence secretary said. Assam Chief Information Commissioner Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, highlighting the recommendations, said dialogue with all stakeholders is in India's core interests, especially with regard to tackling a possible <keyword id="21880634" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="refugee-crisis" source="keywords">refugee crisis</keyword> in the Northeast which has a border of 1885 kms with Bangladesh. A matter of alarming concern for North East India is the disturbing developments of an armed mob breaking the high-security prison in Bangladesh's Sherpur on August 6 freeing more than 500 inmates while in another jail-break in Gazipur, 209 prisoners escaped, Mahanta said. Those who were freed include senior Ansarul Bangla Team (ABT) and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, Bangladesh (JMB), the former DGP said. "This is an exceptionally alarming situation, especially for Assam and Tripura, where several ABT and JMB modules have been busted with 60 members of these outfits arrested from these states in 2022-23 and more than 30 of them are from Bangladesh," he said. This should ring alarm bells within India's internal security and law enforcement apparatus, Mahanta, who is also SHARE's General Secretary, pointed out. Connectivity is a key pillar of Indo-Bangla engagements with the vast spectrum of road, rail, inland water or even air connectivity projects that the two nations have embarked upon are a testament in this regard, he added. The report has pointed out that such connectivity exposes Northeast India to potential security concerns as these portals may be misused by anti-India elements to enter the region and wreak havoc. "The relevance of North East India in the context of Bangladesh remains disproportionately high and we have highlighted the need for a nuanced policy perspective," Mahanta asserted. Nagaland University Chancellor Samudragupta Kashyap and Cyber security expert Subimal Bhattacharjee moderated the event held on Sunday evening. Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina, 76, resigned and fled to India on August 5 following a massive protest by students against a controversial quota system in government jobs. Following that, 84-year-old Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took oath as the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh on August 8.

Security in NE a concern, India needs to engage with those in power in Bangladesh: Think tank

Washington, DC [US], June 27 (ANI): The United States Commission on International <keyword id="20114410" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="religious-freedom" source="keywords">Religious Freedom</keyword> (<keyword id="1279363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="USCIRF" source="Orion">USCIRF</keyword>), an organisation India has strongly criticised in the past, has again raised 'concerns' over religious freedoms in India. It has cited the alleged rise in '<keyword id="20028741" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hate-speech" source="keywords">hate speech</keyword>', demolitions and <keyword id="20068422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="anti-conversion-laws" source="keywords">anti-conversion laws</keyword>. The report annually surveys religious freedoms around the world and aims to provide a "fact-based, comprehensive view of the state of religious freedom" in nearly 200 countries and territories. The findings come a few weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his third term in office and India and the United States agreed to strengthen cooperation in high technology areas during a visit by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan to New Delhi. "In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities," US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told reporters at an event in Washington on Monday. The US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain also expressed concerns about the situation in India. "In India, Christian communities reported that local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities, or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges," he said. Earlier in May, India rejected a similar report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "reinforcing discriminatory nationalist policies" and termed the organisation "biased" with "political agenda." "The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is known as a biased organization with a political agenda. They continue to publish their propaganda on India masquerading as part of an annual report," MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing. "We really have no expectation that USCIRF will even seek to understand India's diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos. Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise of the world will never succeed," he added. The USCIRF had then alleged that the Indian government "failed to address" communal violence disproportionately affecting Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Jews, and Adivasis (indigenous peoples) in 2023. Among its key findings, the report calls out several countries including India, China, Russia, and Iran for violations of explicitly targeting members from certain faith communities. A detailed section of the report also mentioned the alleged "targeted attacks against religious <keyword id="3121137" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="minorities-in-India" source="Orion">minorities in India</keyword>." The report expresses several concerns over India's religious freedom. It claims religious conversion is "legally prohibited" in multiple states, <keyword id="1480228" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="religious-minorities" source="Orion">religious minorities</keyword> are "attacked on a regular basis", and alleges that Muslims face systemic <keyword id="19933076" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="discrimination" source="keywords">discrimination</keyword>. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also noted that in the United States, hate crimes against both Muslims and Jews "have gone up dramatically." The US also raised concerns about Pakistan, where Blinken condemned blasphemy laws that "help foster a climate of intolerance and hatred that can lead to vigilantism and mob violence." Secretary Blinken also mentioned the imprisonment and exile of Muslim Uyghurs in China, as well as the repression of Tibetan Buddhists, Christians and Falun Gong practitioners.

US raises 'concerns' on alleged discrimination of religious minorities in India

Several portions of the maiden <keyword id="20010618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="speech" source="keywords">speech</keyword> of <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rahul-Gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> as Leader of the Opposition in <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> targeting the central government over various issues, including <keyword id="20105286" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="minorities" source="keywords">minorities</keyword>, NEET row and Agnipath scheme among others, have been <keyword id="22254289" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="expunged" source="keywords">expunged</keyword> from the records of the Parliament on the orders of the Speaker. The portions expunged include his comments on Hindus, and PM Narendra Modi-BJP-RSS among others. Rahul Gandhi in his speech in Lok Sabha on Monday afternoon, during the debate on the motion of thanks on President Draupadi Murmu's address accused the <keyword id="19894848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BJP" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BJP" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="BJP">BJP</keyword> and RSS of preaching and spreading <keyword id="19972953" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="violence" source="keywords">violence</keyword> and hatred. His remarks drew protests from the Treasury benches. The Bharatiya Janata Party - led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh among others stood up to express their protest and rebut the <keyword id="19895371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Congress" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Congress">Congress</keyword> MP's remarks. The BJP leaders accused the Congress MP "of speaking lies, misleading the House and terming the entire <keyword id="20157361" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindu-community" source="keywords">Hindu community</keyword> violent". The Congress hit back with counter-allegations against the Modi government. Rahul Gandhi invoked Lord Shiva, Prophet Mohammad, Guru Nanak, Jesus Christ, Lord Budha and Lord Mahavir, saying that he had taken the idea of fearlessness from their teachings. <keyword id="19899320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Modi" source="keywords">PM Modi</keyword> slammed Rahul Gandhi during his speech. "Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious matter," the Prime Minister said. Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi. While the BJP held a press conference later to denounce Rahul Gandhi's remarks, Congress also held an evening press conference to slam the ruling party at the Centre. Among the portions of Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha speech that got expunged were his accusations against the BJP, stating that the party was treating minorities unfairly and perpetrating violence. Portions of the Congress MP's remarks on industrialists Adand Ambani and on the Agniveer Scheme were also expunged. Dismissing Rahul Gandhi's claims on violence against minorities, Dilip Mandal a prominent Dalit voice, claimed that the last decade was the "most peaceful time for India since independence" as he compared the governance under the Congress party. "During his address, Rahul Gandhi made an objectionable statement that a lot of atrocities are happening against Muslims and Christians in India. I believe that the numbers don't suggest this. The last 10 years have been the most peaceful time for India after independence if you see the numbers," Dilip Mandal told ANI. "During the Congress regime, so many riots used to happen, if you compare that in the last 10 years, only two major communal riot incidents have happened, Delhi and Manipur. So the scale has reduced...riots don't last long now," he said. Mandal alleged Gandhi's remarks as an attempt "to scare investors" and added that the Congress party is "again trying to appease" Muslims. "This is an attempt to scare the investors and it will affect India. Congress is again trying to appease Muslims. He is thinking of getting the Muslim votes, especially the Muslim votes of Bihar and UP, from SP and RJD," Mandal said.

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Scrolling to doom? Here's what happens to kids when they are exposed to social media early in their lives

Ankush Banerjee

Security in NE a concern, India needs to engage with those in power in Bangladesh: Think tank

PTI

US raises 'concerns' on alleged discrimination of religious minorities in India

ANI

Portions of Rahul Gandhi's speech in Lok Sabha expunged

ANI

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