Thai authority to prevent online persecution

BANGKOK, January 29 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Public Health is developing a program to prevent persecution among children and youngsters through social media networks. Dr. Mathurada Suwannapho, Director of the Institute of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, told journalists of the move on January 28, stating that the program is being developed in cooperation with relevant parties to be in accordance with circumstances in Thai schools for a sustainable solution to the problem with a focus on primary-level students aged 6-13, as they are normally learning surrounding things and situations and developing their personalities. Dr. Mathurada revealed that the program is expected to be ready for its implementation nationwide by the next academic year. Meanwhile, Dr. Boonruang Trairuangworawat, Director-General of the ministry's Department of Mental Health, noted that latest surveys found about 600,000 students were persecuted through social media networks yearly and Thailand was ranked the world's second top place, after Japan, where students, as high as 40 per cent of them, were persecuted by their friends through the online social media systems. Dr. Boonruang warned that persecuting and mocking each other at schools are the start of violent perception and behaviors, affecting both sides' mental and physical health and quality of life in the long run. Dr. Boonruang explained those who are persecuted may be under stress and depression and, if highly pressured for a long period of time, they may take their revenge by attacking others or themselves and, in some serious cases, they may commit suicide, while those who frequently persecute others may be used to the agreesive behavior without feeling any guilty and then have unplesant personality that may lead them to become criminals. The Department of Mental Health chief suggested that the safety culture should be developed in the Thai society at home and schools to reduce the country's losses of population from the problem in the long run. (TNA)