What tech was used to organise teen sex party?
Published On October 10, 2017 » 3444 Views» By Davies M.M Chanda » Features
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ICT MATTERS NEWRecently, Zambians where in shock when news spread around that Police raided a house in Woodlands, Lusaka where more than 100 teenagers where having a sex party.
The sad story made headlines.
It had to take the Vice President to address the nation to give counsel to parents and to all Zambians.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), churches and other institutions condemned what was called as illicit party.
The author empathizes with the parents of the children because the public condemned those parents whose children were found at the party.
The parents were accused of carelessness in raising their children.
But the question may be asked: who was responsible for the action?
Was it the parents or the children?
The public had their views.
The police reported that among the nearly 70 teenagers that were arrested, some were innocent but their parents were made to pay a fine.
When much thought and analysis is given to this event, one would want to know how these young ones managed to ‘organize’ such a party.
How did they manage to invite each other secretly?
What mode of communication did they use?
These and many other questions can be asked when trying to probe the whole event from preparations to the time it took place.
Some of the objectives and aims of this column are to raise a positive awareness and increase technology knowledge.
Readers are not only filled with information and educated about technology but will be able to draw and apply lessons which are applicable in their real world to make informed decisions.
This article will focus on issues which highlights concerns about parental guidance.
This column has discussed subjects such as, ‘technology has taken over parenting’, ‘what age should a child have a mobile phone?’, and many other subjects which protect children online.
A reader from Lusaka, Kayabwe Kayabwe said:
‘I hope you are well…. Remember the article you wrote about giving phones to children…at what age etc…. I feel the incident for the sex party for over 100 boys and girls who gathered in Woodlands at a named home was mobilized easily by these school children via mobile phones… I don’t know whether you have thought about the possibility that you can write something about the same following that incident in Lusaka…. Just an afterthought’.
These children were able to mobilize themselves to attend the party through social media and instant massaging such as Facebook, WhatsApp, twitter and many others.
Many children, especially from those well to do families, have mobile devices.
The said party had children who came from high cost residential locations, which tells us that their parents can afford to buy them phones.
Many parents have bought phones for their children, which phones the parents themselves do not even know how to operate.
Remember the education curriculum has ICT component in its syllabus which makes children better informed on electronic devices than their parents.
Most parents are so busy such that they do not know what their children do with these phones.
In the recent article, “What age would a child have a mobile phone?” some parents responded that there is no age limit children need to be exposed to technology because we are in the information technology age.
Others responded that children need to own smart phones when they complete school.
The choice remains on what each family is comfortable with.
In some households, teens have put PINs or passwords, meaning that no one can access the device.
I recently came across a teen with a phone whose lock screen has words “keep your eyes away from my phone; don’t touch”.
Some parents have shared about the behaviour of their children who are so addicted to phones that they spend late nights on phones 01, 02, 04 am.
It is now believed that most households have left parenting to their maids and that leaves the children exposed to all sorts of electronic devices such as play stations, movies which most of these busy parents do not monitor.
As a result, these are the consequences.
This column does not aim at condemning parents with children who found themselves at the party.
It was reported that some parents were shocked to learn that children were found in Woodlands which was not the place the child was dropped off at.
It is said that children left their homes innocently, some had left home on the pretext they had gone for extra lessons and to visit friends.
The invitations were possibly share through WhatsApp and Facebook which most parent do not access.
One parent shared with the author how her child received an invitation from a friend to go the party (sex party).
Fortunately, the mother to one of the girls found these girls at one of the shopping malls loitering (possibly they were taking selfies or maybe waiting for their boyfriends) but on their way to Woodlands, the mother to one of the girls took them home.
In short, that was how these girls failed to attend that party.
Parents, you need to be concerned about the whereabouts of your children.
Put limits at what time they will be spending time with their friends.
One of the readers of this column said that he does not allow his children to go in to their bedroom with mobile devices.
He has made that they switch it off at 20:00 hours and put them at the visible place.
One of the parents has advised that she cannot allow her child go for sleep overs, which have become popular among girls, without knowing the background of the other family.
As a parent, you need to take interest to check whom your child associate with on social media, check what he or she posts, tags, locations and many others.
This does not make you a spy, but it is important for the safety and security of your children. Know the parents of your children’s friends hear from them what they say about their children and how they raise them.
Talk to your children not to belong so many WhatsApp groups.
Take interest in the groups they belong to.
Some children have been initiated into cultism or some strange sects.
Experts in developed countries report that children who are raped or kidnapped have some connections with the criminal through social media.
A single mother from Lusaka shared with the author that she bought a smart phone for her nine-year-old boy for the purpose of communication and “school”.
One day she received a call from school.
She was handed with an expulsion letter of her child which stated that he had a phone with illicit pictures with intent to corrupt morals of other pupils.
She was told that it was her responsibility to teach her child to be honest, respect elders, and to be responsible.
Finally, to be a good parent does not mean you need to spoil your children without inculcating morals in them.
Never leave your children to be parented by your maids.
Never leave parenting of your children to others.
Never leave parenting of your children to technology.
If you allow the world to teach your children, they will surprise you.
Most career parents always receive surprises from their children because they are never there. Parental guidance experts advise that the best gift package a parent can give the child or children are teaching the importance of honest, character, faith, love and loyalty.
Teaching them to accept moral values, responsibility, accountability, respect and have a good attitude.
The author is an ICT consultant, forensic investigator, CFIP, PDES, BSc IT, DIT, ADip.PM, ITIL. For comments, suggestion, questions email kingstonmwila@gmail.com, WhatsApp +260977689574, +260955689574, Like the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ictmatterswithkingstonalimwila

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