Sundaymail Editor
Sunday Mail Correspondent
A local non-governmental organisation, Trust-n-Us, has implored young children to desist from abusing social media as this exposes them to paedophiles, human trafficking and substance abuse.
Speaking at a Children’s Conference organised by the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church Harare West district, Trust-n-Us director Mrs Lucia Mutsvedu said while social media has numerous advantages for young people, it exposes vulnerable children to multiple vices.
“Children have surpassed adults in terms of social media use and technology usage.
“As adults, we have been thrown into the deep end of technology and, in turn, exposing children to new forms of vulnerability,” she said.
Mrs Mutsvedu said abuse of social media is contributing to increased cases of suicide.
“Suicide cases are on the rise because our children do not have a lot to do, they end up looking for things to do on the internet.
“Often, they give in to peer pressure, leading to suicidal thoughts and feelings.
“As Trust-n-Us, we are saying let us have a strategy of managing our lives through what we call digital balance.”
AFM Children’s Ministry leader, Pastor Kelebuhile Gonah, said children tend to be vulnerable on social media.
“Children are lured into drug abuse, which affects their mental health.
“As a Christian family, we partnered with Trust-n-Us to teach children
about the dangers and all forms of abuse they might encounter while on social media and how to overcome that,” he said.
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