Issue on table:

There have been calls from a section of the public to ban social media platforms such as Facebook and Watsapp. They argue that these sites have a negative effect on the children in terms of morals. Some argue that if they can’t be banned then parents should monitor how their children use these sites.

This week, The Education Times visited Glory Secondary School to find out what the students think about that proposal.

Manzi Tibere Mulinzi

It is okay to monitor a child as long as they have not yet reached university. Most of the Internet material is developed in the West and tends to contradict our culture.

Christian vita

I think a little monitoring of children could do. The challenge, however, is that no parent has all that time to keep watch. The best thing is to advise the children on how to deal with some things when they come across them.

Benjamin Binamungu

If restrictions are not put on what students do or watch during the holiday, many of them could waste a lot of their time watching pornographic material or learning how to take drugs. This can be dangerous to the child’s morals.

Deborah Uwamahoro

I think students should be monitored when using social media because it’s a platform used by both good and bad people. People post a lot of indecent content which very few teenagers can sieve on their own. They need guidance from older people.

Sandrine Rugema Ikirezi

I think watching what one does depends on how old they are. I think once someone clocks 18 years of age they should be responsible enough to know what is good and bad. You can’t monitor their phones and computers for 24 hours. Besides, the Internet is used for research and you don’t want a child who is not informed.

Candice Amata Teta

It has both negative and positive implications. For instance someone may post an educative article on Facebook or Twitter to the benefit of the students. However it could also be a misleading article to the readers. I think parents should just teach their children especially those above 12 years of age to differentiate between what is constructive and what is destructive.

If you have a comment or want the Education Times Open Voice team to visit your school, please send an email to education@newtimes.co.rw

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