President of Telefono Azul: Warns About Mental Health Risks and Toxic Relationships Among Youth
Hey there! Let's chat about the evolution of child welfare in Italy over the past 38 years. Since the launch of Telefono Azzurro, they've received over 130,000 calls for help, showing the ever-present need for resources and support for our young people.
Professor Ernesto Caffo, the organization's President, has noticed that today's childhood model is vastly different from the one that existed when they started. While children are more cognitively and socially precocious, they also face emotional fragilities and new forms of violence. Previously, child abuse was often kept secret, but now, it's essential to respond to a wider range of issues like bullying, peer conflicts, and mental health concerns.
When it comes to mental distress, young people are particularly affected. With alarming rates of suicidal behaviors, self-harm, and emotional distress, they often don't receive proper support and are even stigmatized. It's crucial to develop new approaches to connect with this age group on platforms they frequent, such as schools, social media, and gaming platforms, to foster a sense of safety and empower them to seek assistance.
One of the biggest concerns is the fear that young people have of being judged by adults, which pushes them to seek answers online. Platforms like TikTok or Instagram can be dangerous sources of information, particularly in cases of eating disorders. Instead, it's important to ensure that minors receive professional help and guidance.
The impact of new technologies on minors is undeniable. Social network companies need to be held responsible for guiding these tools toward educational and responsible use in schools. Students should be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills, be familiar with the rules of digital platforms, and learn to control them properly.
Another hot topic is the excessive use of smartphones among young people, and the potential need for limits. Schools and families must work together to empower young people, ensure they're responsible users of technology, and protect them from online threats such as cyberbullying and revenge porn.
The tragic cases of young girls harmed by violent partners, like the femicide of Martina Carbonaro, highlight the dire need for awareness about healthy relationships and emotional culture. These topics should be addressed in schools to help young people navigate through their crucial developmental years.
The Italian government has taken steps to combat these issues, such as strengthening penalties for perpetrators. However, Professor Caffo emphasizes that prevention and comprehensive reforms are necessary to address these complex challenges. He praises the Italian government's commitment to discussing these matters again and presents himself as willing to collaborate to improve the welfare of young people in Italy. So, will the Prime Minister listen and take action? Only time will tell.
- Despite the progress in science and technology, mental health concerns such as suicidal behaviors, self-harm, and emotional distress among young people remain alarmingly high, often without proper support due to stigma.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and mental-health, it's crucial to integrate lifestyle discussions focusing on relationships and peer interactions, addressing bullying, mental health concerns, and emotional fragilities that today's youth faces.
- In order to ensure the well-being of our children and adolescents, it's essential for schools, families, and government to collaborate in promoting responsible use of technology, developing critical thinking skills, and fostering open discussions about healthy relationships and emotional culture, as seen in the tragic case of Martina Carbonaro.
