Selfies, Blame to Shame

Mobile Selfies, Blame to Shame

Shhhhh... It made me feel to think over and over, shall I discuss this topic? Why it is striking my mind? Why it is not a matter of debate? The lives of our children are much more challenging than ours. In the ocean of the internet, there are millions of vices and virtues floating around. They have to choose between constructive and destructive paths. 

            Certainly, this is a very stupendous task, a mid of this, the responsibility is laid on the shoulders of parents and elders on how to educate them to be defensive and protective. Recently, social media usage has burgeoned in youth. Each teenager is well equipped with this trouble called a mobile phone and the social media craze is driving them to click and share their every moment along with their personal life and private essence too.

Mobile Pandora's box :

       More than a million cases have been reported to the Federal Investigation Agency regarding harassment, sexual abuse, blackmailing, and physical assault. While tracing the origin of this crime always brings us to the conclusion that is not another but mobile and social media. The global woe of selfies is the most rampant disease and everyone is suffering from it. 

The nude reality of selfies:

What are the factors motivating our youth to capture obscene and indecent pictures? Teenage is a period of experiments and discovery. In youth, teenagers adore discovering their bodies and fascinations. They are very much excited to learn from their experience. What they learn from their perception is eternal.  

               Besides, sharing photos with their partners on-demand and receiving admiration from them is a very sensational activity that gives them pleasure and satisfaction. In some cases, pressure, coercion, and intimidation also make girls take selfies and share them at the behest of their lover. 

                    Probably, they are afraid of losing their lover or scared of the threat she is receiving from the boy. So this gruesome mistake tarnishes the life of the victim. The confidence she has always ended in sudden catastrophe when these half-naked photos are photoshopped by the partner or anonymous who receives them make these photos circulating on social media. 

       The intimidation and blackmailing continue unless she keeps sharing her photos and fulfilling infatuation and physical needs. Between the devil and the deep sea, she neither go for break up nor discloses such shameful act has been committed by her.

How to unearth the issue?

 We live in such a fragile society that readily accepts the fault is on a woman's side, ultimately she has to bear the consequences alone. She has to encounter her family, peers, colleagues, and teachers. Her mistake can't be justified who to accuse of? Sometimes the gravity of the situation increases and monetary demand is also made. By all means, she has to give him money to the extortioner. It leads her to the brink of shame and disgrace. Death is the only option that victims could find.

How to handle the situation:

Educate your children to say No, they should know when someone approaching them they have to have a clear stance of not serving anyone. Tell them no one is allowed to move toward them before marriage and any relationship or friendship should be limit. Your children are your strength and any wrong action can make you vulnerable weak. They should be taught how to reject such offers bluntly. For this give them examples of cases happening in your society. So their fantasy could be replaced by reality. 

Give them your ear?

No matter what had happened, whatever blunders children made. Before impeaching, listen to them. Parents equally liable. This is parents' negligence and oblivion that distracted them to do so. Plus,  No one will defend and secure them but their parents. So it's a matter of significance parents should infer what is the strategy to adopt. Give them confidence you will always be there to help them out.  Alert all your friend and family someone is photoshopping your picture so report the account.

Come up with a solution 

Believe me, criticizing your child never work. They should know if someone is blackmailing them by saying that he will show the picture to the parents they must have enough courage to come to you directly. You must protect your child. Talk to that person ask him to delete all images or photos. 

         Moreover, if they are available on any site report them immediately. It's an offense you must find the help of police or a related department. Education and training are very necessary. In Pakistan, an online complaint can be lodged against cybercrime. helpdesk@nr3c.gov.pk 

Selfie Culture promoting Narcissism: 

The opinion which is established that excessive use of social media, the posting of images and selfies, is related to a constant rise of narcissism. All the time our youth engrossed in taking photos and posting them. Waiting for likes and comments is another trial. Thus we are nurturing a snobbish culture which itself is a blight.

 

Keep a check on your children:

Liberty should be given in limits. Excess of everything can lead to devastation. So parents should check on the check and their gadgets and room. Beware of their friends and company. Train them on how to avert such offers. And lastly, prevention is always better than cure. 

Blogs by Sadia Nawaz

20th June 2021