Event - Panel Workshop

Rustomjee Cambridge International School and Junior College

Date : 20.10.10

For Grades 5 to 9

Dear Parents,

Keeping in mind the growing influence and role of technology and other external environment on today’s kids, we have organized a workshop and panel interaction for parents.

SPEAKERS:

DR.MOHINISH G.BHATJIWALE M.B, M.Ch [Neuro]

Consultant Neurological Surgeon, Fortis Raheja Hospital, B.S.E.S Andheri & Seth G.S.Medical College

Dr.KARTHIK RAO M.D [PSYCHIATRY], D.P.M

B.S.E.S Hospital, Andheri & C.M.P Medical College, Irla

MRS. DHARA SHAH CONSULTANT NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST

Jaslok Hospital & K.E.M Hospital.

Time: 9:30 am to 11:00 am Venue:Rustomjee Cambridge International School, basement

Date: 24.10.10, Sunday Register at school office by Saturday (23.10.10) –Entry Free

Modern day trends of living are driving children towards being increasingly confused, self centred and physically and mentally disturbed. The impact of media and particularly the internet has been very profound and both good and bad.

In the interaction, we would like to highlight the following:

1. Internet – Good and Bad. How excess freedom given to children while on the net, especially if left unsupervised, can lead to browsing of sites not recommended for children. At a tender age exposure to the `bad’ in internet can have devastating psychological consequences in the young. It can influence grades in school, adversely affect behavior and can threaten all that civilized society has build up over thousands of years of caring and loving.

2. Facebook is a noted social and interactive site. However it is advocated for children above 18 years of age. Are we morally right to register our child on the site by lying about his or her true age? What example are we laying? Are we monitoring the ‘friends’ that they accept and the language used?

3. Media influence. Children want to imitate what they see and believe on the screen. They are taken in by violence and so called ‘style’ of the hero.

4. Unsupervised excess freedom given to children can lead to the child going astray and we may not even come to know. They can pick up vices or visit cybercafés with their friends.

5. Peer group influence / Herd mentality. If the herd is good, it is fine, but if the herd is misdirected, it can lead to crimes like even rape. Such has often been the case. The parents of these children have been in utter disbelief and surprised at these acts but unfortunately too late.

6. Power [money] corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is an old saying. How much of this [money] is just right for our children. Ask the child to give you an account of how he or she has spent the money.

7. Can we steer them clear to safety, free from harmful influences, in the coming years of teenage and college life by laying a strong foundation now.

8. The panel team consists of eminent neurologist, psychiatrist and neuropsychologist practicing in reputed hospitals like Saifee, Fortis [Raheja], B.S.E.S and Jaslok.

9. The good of any society lies in peaceful coexistence, feeling of togetherness and mutual trust. Can we take a small step in seeing that our children remain protected in this environment?

We will talk and discuss solutions to all these problems.

Tanya Valecha

Principal