Viral disaster videos harm kids' mental health
Summary
Disturbing disaster videos circulating on social media are raising alarms over the mental health of children in Nepal. Experts and officials are calling for stronger platform coordination, parental supervision, and online safety measures to curb harmful content and misinformation.
Key Points
- Repeated exposure to graphic flood and landslide videos can trigger fear, anxiety, stress, sleep disturbances, and insecurity among children and adolescents.
- A child in Kathmandu reportedly cried after repeatedly watching flood-related videos on a mother's phone, while others experienced trembling and loss of appetite.
- Voice of Children representatives said many children in temporary holding centres were spending time on mobile phones during the Bhotekoshi flood aftermath.
- The National Cyber Security Centre and the Nepal Telecommunications Authority are urging better coordination, public awareness, and child online safety measures.
