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The dangers of children owning smartphones

JOBURG - Getting a smartphone for your child could prove to be a parent's worst nightmare as reports reveal that children can be exposed to porn.

A primary school pupil owning a Smartphone could lead to a child having access to pornography, this according to Sergeant Iris Phoko of Parkview Police Station.

Phoko explained that while parents with primary school-going children may feel it is okay for their child to have the latest Smartphone, it may lead them towards the world of porn as it becomes more accessible through a simple Google search on a cellphone that uses the Internet.

“What happens is the child makes another one search for pornography and then starts sending it on to other children, or they attempt to do what is being watched,” explained Phoko.

She further advised that parents also must make sure that they search their children’s cellphones for things such as porn or searched sites. “Having Smartphones and the children answering or playing with them while walking home also causes common robberies,” Phoko cautioned.

“Parents should also search their children’s school bags for things such as dagga, drugs, alcohol and illegal substances or weapons to prevent the child from using substances and weapons at such an early stage in his or her life,” Phoko urged.

Another issue she highlighted was bullying. Phoko urged parents to speak to their children about the effects of bullying and why it is wrong to bully fellow classmates as this could lead to the suicide of the bullied person and/or harm to the bully.

She stressed the importance of not exposing children to violent movies as sometimes children may want to act it out it at school. She also cautioned against leaving safe keys lying around. “Easy access to a firearm is a big no as the child may want to mirror what he or she had seen in the movie using the firearm.”

Details: Parkview Police Station 011 486 5000.

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