legl remedy or sex education:way to curb rising sexual abuse /threats on social media

Legal remedy or sex education:way to curb rising sexual abuse /threats on social media

(By Neha Soni ) 

Image By:- Sukriti Singh

Social media is a big communication medium for the teenage generation. Social media leading to uncontrolled sexual abuse and sexual threats. 

Question is whether we can reduce this rising sexual abuse through sex education? And the answer is yes! 

Sex education is a broad term used to portray education about human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, and new aspects of human sexual behaviour. Sex education helps people profit information, skills and goal to make healthy decisions about sex and sexuality.

But before we answer how to reduce these threats, we have to know that what negative effects does sexual abuse can cause to people.

Sexual abuse/threat on social media

Criminals find different ways to bully boys and girls but social media abuse victims are generally girls. They are being bullied in:-

• Body shaming

• Abusive comments on their pictures

• Misuse of their photos

• Threat calls

• Abusive messages

• Slut-shaming

Impact of social media abuse

• Low self-esteem - Do you ever feel less confident in yourself if someone says negative about you or put you down? This is what social media abuse cause to you. You lose confidence to speak up, to stand for yourself.

• Mental health - Excessive social media abuse can not only cause unhappiness and a general dissatisfaction for life in users but also increase the risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Constant bullying can lead toa feeling of self-consciousness or a need for perfectionism and order, which often manifests itself into a social anxiety disorder.

• Unhealthy sleeping pattern - On top of increasing the incidents of anxiety and depression, social media abuse can lead to poor sleep. Various surveys have proved that increased use of social media harms sleep quality.

• Suicide - It happens in extreme cases when an individual can’t handle the abuses and it takes a toll on their mental health. Users think that their life has been ruined as it has been on social media and they are left with no other choice. They become tired of hiding.

• Flashback - A flashback is back memories of a p.s. trauma environment as if they are taking area in the current moment. It means that a victim may feel that sexual threat/abuse is going on again. During a flashback, it can be difficult for a colleague in the workplace along together amid realism. It is also possible that the criminal is physically present.

How can society educate children to prevent sexual abuse?

• Teach Children Names of their private Body Parts : It is just as important to know about your genital areas like vagina or penis as it is to know your elbow or nose. If your children have a correct name for their body parts they will be able to tell you if someone has inappropriately touched them.

 

• Represent healthy Relationships :  Show your child what a safe and healthy relationship looks taking into account by showing it for them daily. A healthy relationship does not accept any kind of abuse or threat so that children can keep in mind that it is not acceptable to do anywhere- not in public or not on social media and not even in private.

• Child’s Right to Privacy :  Never push a child to hug other people even if the adults are his/her grandparents. Teach them their body is their own.  Do not sanction pictures of your child changing, bathing, and codicil to social media. Children must learn their bodies are not for public consumption no matter what the situation is.  Remind your child they should ask before hugging other people.  Everyone deserves to have their boundaries met.

• Make Sure Your Child Receives Sex Education :  If your child or student does not receive this information at school, act to ensure comprehensive sex education gets the support and funding it needs.  

To educate young people properly about sexuality, about their rights, about being respectful partners, and about consent is one the best ways we can end the epidemic of sexual assault on social media and lead our kids into healthy relationships.

Disclaimer:-

The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of Light de Literacy and LDL does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.