In today’s digital age, it is nearly impossible to keep away from social networking or the Internet —which has become the backbone of competitive, technology-driven world. The advent of which, though with its own benefits, has let loose a network of horrific events.

And unfortunately, it is the young innocence of our homes that are paying the price as in the case of the recent Blue Whale Challenge. The online game that was first introduced in Russia has already claimed the over 120 lives in just a span of three years. This makes us wonder; what is so fascinating about such game?

How is it managing to attract so many teenagers? And more importantly, why are parents not being able to identify them or take action in time? Well, to begin with, there’s a common misconception among parents that restricting their child’s screen time or Internet usage would immediately decimate the threat.

Now though it is right there in the steps to follow, it does not address the root cause of these online addictions, which are usually weak family bonds, peer pressure or an overall low self-esteem. The early adolescence years is when one seeks validation from the society and build strong bonds. This is the part most fail to understand, or rather, seem to ignore.

We have created a society where everyone is expected to achieve and is judged solely based on preset parameters. There is hardly any place for someone who is an underachiever or an introvert. All this is of course not taking into account the societal expectations. This is where the online world plays the role of a saviour in the minds of our young ones.

Ask anyone the question, “Why do you love an online game or befriend a stranger online?” and the answer will simply be — it is exciting and interactive. Well, there’s no use complaining about technology or the lack of cyber security. Shutting down a single game or challenge can only serve as a temporary solution, for the next nefarious one will eventually pop up and it’s just a matter of time. Instead, the best solution out of this spider’s web is to tackle the issue at the roots.

When one doesn’t get enough importance at their home or institution, they generally turn out to be introverts and insecure. They lack confidence and feel like underachievers at every point — be it in education or the extracurricular activities. As a result, teenagers start hiding a lot of things from their parents. This is the onset of a long winding journey into the dark side.

It is important to establish and maintain an open line of communication. This is crucial to understand what is going through and to help tackle it.

Some of the best ways to achieve a good rapport are:

Change the parenting style: The first step would be to tune your parenting style. Involve yourselves with your children more. It builds stronger ties. It is important to adopt a parenting style that is firm yet forgiving in shaping into an independent and responsible individual. Avoiding enforcements: Forcing one to fall in line doesn’t really work.

This combined with being told what to do always, makes one vulnerable, and builds a society of adults with low self-esteem. Online games thrive on such vulnerabilities. So, instead of forcing them to abide, it is better to help them make the right decision. And the best way to do that is by explaining the consequences of a desired action.

Many people don’t realise this but as a matter of fact, logic works like magic. A functional communication channel: The importance of communication is one that cannot be stressed enough. Adolescence is a period of emotional turbulence fueled by hormonal changes which can be hard. So it is crucial to have a vent within the family.

Finding the symptoms: To identify if he/she is already in the grasp of the online predators, look for signs of any change in the behaviour. The most common and primal symptom would be withdrawal, sudden changes in mood, being less social, and disengaged from routine, etc, at which point, an immediate intervention from the family is essential.

Future proofing: It is essential to impose restrictions, especially when it comes to the content. Technology can be both a boon and bane. These are just some of the steps that can help make a difference. The key always lies in building a happy and open line of communication. Motivate constantly, and teach to build coping mechanisms rather than just enforcing regime rules.

(The writer is chief technology officer and co-founder, Flintobox)