Nepali Parents Overlook Crucial Safety Conversations

The Growing Gap in Digital Parenting: A Wake-Up Call for Families

In the digital age, parents often find themselves struggling to keep up with the rapidly evolving online landscape that their children navigate with ease. While schools and organizations work tirelessly to educate children about online risks, a critical gap remains—parents are frequently left out of these conversations. This disconnect leaves families vulnerable to dangers such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and even child sexual abuse.

When Good Intentions Aren’t Enough

Consider the story of Misti, a mother from Lalitpur, Nepal, who believed she was making a safe choice by not giving her 12-year-old daughter a personal phone. Instead, she allowed her to use her own device for schoolwork. Unbeknownst to Misti, her unlocked Facebook account became a gateway for her daughter to interact with strangers. Months later, she discovered her daughter exchanging explicit photos with someone posing as a boyfriend. Misti had no idea such dangers existed online or where to turn for help.

This incident is far from isolated. Many parents, especially those less familiar with social media and technology, struggle to monitor what their children do online. According to a recent study by ChildSafeNet, which surveyed 900 parents of children aged 6 to 17, only 8% had a solid understanding of online threats facing children. Alarmingly, 70% admitted they didn’t know what could expose their children to exploitation, and 85% had never discussed topics like sexuality or abuse with them.

Why Parents Are Falling Behind

Several factors contribute to this growing knowledge gap:

• Generational Divide: Children grow up immersed in technology, while many parents are still learning the basics.
• Low Digital Literacy: Many adults lack the skills to navigate modern platforms effectively.
• Urban-Rural Disparities: Awareness campaigns often reach urban centers more than rural areas.
• Overreliance on Children: Parents often depend on their kids to manage devices and apps, leaving them unaware of potential risks.
• Misconceptions About Safety: Some believe keeping children indoors and giving them phones without safeguards ensures safety.

These misconceptions can lead to dangerous behaviors, such as allowing unrestricted access to family phones or sharing too much personal information online—a practice known as “sharenting.”

The Hidden Dangers of Shared Devices

The ChildSafeNet research found that over half of surveyed parents (55.4%) reported their children used family members’ phones to access the internet. However, few realize that adult content—whether through streaming services, news, or search results—can be easily accessed by children. Even seemingly innocent Google searches for homework can expose kids to inappropriate ads or content unsuitable for their age.

Dr. Nripesh Rajbhandari, a pediatric surgeon and father of two, emphasizes the importance of using tools like parental controls and secure browsing features. He advocates for greater awareness of available safety measures, noting that only 6% of surveyed parents currently use any kind of digital protection tools.

Language barriers also play a role. Most guidance on platform safety settings is available only in English, making it inaccessible to many non-English speaking parents.

Bridging the Gap Through Education and Communication

Experts agree that empowering parents with knowledge is key to protecting children online. Simply educating children isn’t enough when they’re using shared devices or hiding activity due to fear of punishment.

Parenting coach Disu Bhandari Manandhar stresses that parents don’t need to be tech experts, but they must understand the risks and maintain open communication with their children. She promotes an “authoritative parenting” style—one that balances clear rules with warmth and dialogue.

Pratima Lama, co-founder of Smart Parenting Nepal, recommends a three-step model:
1. Initial discussions with children about online safety
2. Involving parents in the conversation
3. Bringing both together for joint learning sessions

She urges governments and institutions to adopt this approach widely, integrating digital parenting into national education programs and community outreach efforts.

Risohani Shrestha Pradhanang, a parenting consultant, adds that teaching soft skills like open communication and empathy should come before technical training. These foundational abilities allow parents to create an environment where children feel comfortable discussing problems rather than hiding them.

The Way Forward

To truly safeguard children in the digital world, experts call for a comprehensive strategy that includes:

• Revising national parenting programs to include digital safety modules
• Conducting interactive workshops in local languages at schools and communities
• Training educators and counselors to guide parents effectively
• Encouraging schools to implement digital parenting sessions, similar to traditional safety education like “good touch, bad touch” programs

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure parents are not just passive observers but active participants in their children’s digital lives. As Lama points out, “No matter how much we educate children, true safety isn’t possible without informed, empowered, and well-equipped parents.”