Bangkok: The Peace and Democracy Association has submitted a petition to the House Committee on Children's Affairs, urging the government to tighten controls on systemic violence and digital media threats. The petition highlights the urgent need for measures to protect children from increasing digital threats and systemic violence.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Ochit Kiatkongchuchai, Chairman of the Committee on Children, Youth, Women, the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities, Ethnic Groups, and LGBTQ+ Affairs, received a letter from Mr. Tankhun Jittisara, President of the Santi Prachatham Club. The letter emphasizes the growing severity of exploitation, violence, and sexual abuse of children through digital technology and online media. It cites alarming incidents involving minors, such as a 14-year-old's mass shooting and various other criminal acts linked to digital media exposure. The petition calls for tightening the enforcement of the Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Peace and Democracy Association advocates for three primary policy recommendations to safeguard children. Firstly, it proposes restricting access to violent media content for children aged 0-12 years. Secondly, it emphasizes promoting family well-being by creating digital-free zones to encourage social interaction and physical activity. Lastly, it advocates for enhanced cybersecurity measures, including the development of educational programs to build resilience in children and guidelines for the regulation of communication devices in educational settings.
Associate Professor Dr. Adisak Praditphonpim, Assistant to the Rector of Mahidol University, highlighted the detrimental effects of excessive mobile phone usage among children. A survey revealed that a significant percentage of Thai children use mobile phones extensively, impacting their sleep quality and physical activity levels. The research suggests that media exposure affects children's brain development and social skills, urging technology providers to take responsibility alongside parents in mitigating these impacts.
Professor Prut Siribannapithak expressed concerns about introducing technology to children prematurely. He stressed the importance of human interaction in early childhood development and warned against excessive screen time, especially for children under the age of 13. He advocated for supervised and limited screen exposure to prevent long-term developmental issues.
Ms. Theeraratt Panthavee Wongthananek, President of the Association of Radio and Media for Children and Youth, addressed the prevalence of online threats, including cyberbullying and sexual exploitation. She pointed out that while some countries have robust laws and policies to combat these issues, Thailand's implementation remains insufficient. She called for a collective effort from the government, educational institutions, and platform operators to address these challenges effectively.
In response, Mr. Ochit Kiatkongchuchai expressed gratitude towards the public and the Peace and Democracy Club for their concern. He emphasized the need for collective action to mitigate the negative impact of digital media on children. He welcomed the proposals and stressed the importance of parents actively engaging in their children's development by reducing their own social media usage.