I’m a psychoanalyst. Social media is damaging children’s inner lives in ways we don’t fully understand | Robin Kirman
Discussion has focused on behavioral outcomes. But Meta’s settlement shines a light on damage to young people’s emerging desires and identities During the landmark social media addiction trial that led to Meta’s recent $17.1bn settlement , a therapist testified that she had once asked the plaintiff – a young woman named Kaley, who had been using social media since she was six – what her miracle…
The District Child Welfare Committee in Chennai recently handled a case involving a 15-year-old Nepali girl who married a 28-year-old man residing in Chennai. The pair met through Instagram, and after their marriage, the girl's family reported the incident to the police. India Child Protection, a civil society organization, intervened to rescue the girl.
Social media and online dating platforms are making it easier for vulnerable girls to face the risk of child marriage. Bhuwan Ribhu, a child rights activist and founder of Just Rights for Children, states that digital communication advancements have altered the dynamics of child marriage, making more children vulnerable. Ribhu emphasizes the need for a borderless response to address trafficking, sexual abuse, and online grooming for marriage.
A 2024 study by Save the Children revealed that girls in India faced a higher online risk of child marriage and trafficking during the pandemic. The National Family Health Survey (2019-21) reports a national average of 23% for child marriage in India. Child marriage prevalence in India has decreased by 10%. The Central Government launched the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign in November 2024 to eliminate child marriage by 2030, with various states implementing their own initiatives.
Tamil Nadu, however, still lacks Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) that would help prevent marriages, gather evidence, raise awareness, and report data. Instead, the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) serves as the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer for their respective districts. Tamil Nadu needs dedicated officials to curb child marriage, particularly in districts like Salem, Dindigul, Namakal, and Cuddalore, which have reported the highest cases.
Grama panchayats should be empowered in these areas, and State Governments must create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to eliminate child marriages. The Supreme Court's landmark judgment on child marriage in October 2024 remains unimplemented in Tamil Nadu. While the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 has existed for years, enforcement remains insufficient.
Ribhu attributes the 84% drop in cases in Assam to law enforcement's continuous crackdown. Awareness is vital, but enforcement of policies, accountability, and technology for monitoring are equally crucial. On September 4, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly designated November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage.
A residents group in Anna Nagar celebrated the decision by displaying awareness banners, holding an oath-taking ceremony, and calling upon schools and colleges to report child marriage cases to the helpline number or teachers.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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