Online relationships lead girls down a slippery slope
The Hindu
Dangerous mix of social media, affairs and drugs leave them vulnerable to abuse
The incident in which a Plus Two student was introduced to drugs and then sexually abused by a predator points to a seemingly unforeseen fallout of prolonged online education, the vulnerability of youngsters to the dangers posed by unrestrained access to social media.
In the instant case as well, the victim had reportedly met the accused, who was since then booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, over social media.
“Incidents in which vulnerable young girls are ensnared and exploited in the guise of affairs are being increasingly reported. The increased access to online, and shift of youngsters to drugs after the availability of alcohol was hit during the pandemic seem to have aggravated the situation,” said T.U. Kuriakose, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kochi City.