New Delhi, March 12: Former cricketer and Aam Aadmi Party MP Harbhajan Singh has raised concerns about the spread of obscenity on social media and its effects on teenagers. He addressed this issue in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
Harbhajan emphasized that this is a critical topic requiring immediate attention. He stated that controlling the spread of obscene and inappropriate content on social media is essential. This issue transcends technical or legal matters; it is a serious question related to our society, our morals, and the future of upcoming generations.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, he noted that social media has become a vital platform for knowledge, communication, and innovation. It offers us new learning opportunities and fresh ideas. Unfortunately, it is also a medium where obscene content spreads rapidly, adversely affecting our children and teenagers the most.
Harbhajan cited numerous studies indicating that younger children are increasingly accessing such material. This exposure negatively impacts their thinking and mental development. It is not just a question of personal morality; it also poses serious concerns for social safety and mental health.
He provided a simple example to illustrate his point: if a 13 or 14-year-old, still learning the difference between right and wrong, continuously views obscene images and videos on social media, how will they develop respect for women? Such content can lead them to view women not as individuals but as objects. This trend can exacerbate issues like crime and harassment in society.
He pointed out that many countries have taken concrete steps to address this threat. For instance, France has enacted laws mandating strict age verification for several websites. Regulatory bodies have the authority to shut down non-compliant websites. Similarly, the United Kingdom requires identity and age verification for many adult websites under its online safety laws. Australia has also implemented stringent monitoring and heavy penalties for online obscene content to protect children.
These examples illustrate that developed countries are taking this issue seriously. This is crucial because it pertains to the future of upcoming generations. In a country like India, where our civilization is rooted in respect for women, culture, and family values, there is a pressing need for serious reflection and effective policy on this matter. We must take concrete steps at both technical and legal levels.
Harbhajan advocated for monitoring such content on social media, implementing age verification systems, and enforcing strict penalties for rule violators. He believes that social media should be used for knowledge, education, and creative endeavors, not for disseminating content that corrupts society and harms children’s futures.
He concluded by stating that while freedom of expression is a fundamental pillar of democracy, it is essential to maintain balanced and responsible control to ensure that no activity harms children’s interests.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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