DILI, 12 july 2021 (TATOLI) – The Executive Director of the Information and Communication Technology Agency I.P. (TIC), Roberto Caetano de Sousa Vicente informed that technology, particularly smartphones and tablets could have negative effects on children if parents do not control their kids.
“Due to Covid-19 restrictions, kids need to continue learning via online and digital learning by using smartphones. This is one of the good ways to keep children continuing learning during this difficult time, but there are some serious harmful effects of smartphones and tablets on children as well,” Vicente told reporters in Dili, today.
Vicente said one of the severe impacts of smartphones on children is the poor development of social and communication skills.
He emphasized that due to the lack of strict rules, children can access negative internet content.
“For instance, if you open some sites, there will be some pop-up ads every second that are inappropriate for children. So, our children can be exposed to those negative contents,” he said.
Vicente called on parents to strictly control their children when overusing smartphones and tablets at home: “Parents need to teach their children how to use the technologies appropriately for learning purposes.”
“We need to limit the access of our children to any content on the internet and prevent them from overusing smartphones and tablets because it will stop them from knowing the real world,” affirmed Vicente.
He added that without special attention given by parents to their children when using technologies then inappropriate Internet content may jeopardize the health and safety of children.
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Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafy Belo
