Mental Health expert and Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Rumy Ruben highlighted that the behaviour of children is changing especially after they consume liquor or getting addicted to dangerous drugs and therefore parents should keep a close tab on their movements.
He said the mental illness of children is developed when they are subject to various forms of harassment.
“Therefore, it is the duty of parents and elders to prevent children from taking unnecessary advantage of the freedom given to them,” he said.
Quoting a recent incident Dr. Ruban said children should not take unnecessary advantage from the freedom they have and they should always focus attention towards their educational activities rather than visiting unnecessary places with friends.
Dr. Ruben further said that the children should be encouraged to focus their attention mainly towards their educational activities as well as sports activities.
He further said elders should also stop children loafing with their friends and encourage them to spend their leisure in a more productive manner.
He said most children in the present day society do not even listen to the advice given by their parents and as a result they face a lot of hardships which sometimes end up losing their valuable lives.
He also highlighted that currently most children are addicted to social media especially to the Internet and also to unwanted websites.
“Therefore children should be encouraged to watch important educational programmes on TV and websites,” he said.
Dr. Ruben also requested the media to refrain from highlighting certain incidents and scenes that could poison the minds of young children and lead them astray.
Ananda Kannangara