Thursday, June 16, 2011

Internet cafes in Central Visayas Should Ban School Children

A senior education official appealed to owners of Internet cafes in Central Visayas to heed ordinances prohibiting them from accepting school children during class hours. 

Department of Education (DepEd) 7 Assistant Director Carmelita Dulangon urged parents to protect their children against the negative effects of using the Internet amid reports of child exploitation through the Internet.

Dulangon said that while the Internet is helpful to students who need to do research, it can also harm them in many ways.

She raised concern over children's addiction to computer or online games, which turn their attention away from their studies.

"While the school serves as the children's second home, parents should be the first ones to show love and care to their children," Dulangon said.

Last July 1, a couple was arrested after authorities caught them using their six children and a niece for cybersex in their house in Cordova town.

The incident prompted local officials, including Cordova, Cebu Mayor Adelino Sitoy and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, to discuss measures against cybersex in the province.

The Cebu Provincial Women's Commission has planned to create a module that will translate English words related to online pornography for a massive information drive.

With the school year in full swing, Dulangon also called on school officials to keep their students away from violent fraternities or gangs.

In 2004, a gang attempted to torch the bathrooms of the Lahug Night High School in Cebu City, sent death threats to the school principal and nearly assaulted a teacher.

Dulangon also warned teachers against the use of corporal punishment in the classroom.

DepEd took a serious stand against corporal punishment following the death of a nine-year-old pupil in Taguig in 2006.

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