REMEMBERING PROF. T. N. CHAWLA BY HIS LECTURE ON DENTOFACIAL PAIN

 

Professor T.N. Chawla, was the Head of Dental Department of King George’s Medical College when we were in 7^th Semester. In fact, he headed the Dental Department from 1950 to 1980 and was an extremely well known and respected name in Dental Education. He later served as the first Dean of the prestigious Faculty of Dental Sciences, as a separate dental faculty at KGMC. He established the Department of Periodontology at KGMC in 1965 with a grant from PL 480 and was recognized for his contributions to the field of periodontology.

 

Prof. Chawla was an excellent teacher and many of his students went on to head several teaching units in India and abroad. His contributions to Periodontics is commemorated by the 'Dr. T. N. Chawla Award’  which is given annually in his name for the best thesis in Periodontics.

 

After finishing his Graduation, Prof. Chawla went on to do his MS under the stewardship of the legendary Prof. Irving Glickman at Tufts University, Boston. He returned to India to establish a full- fledged, Dental Department at King George Medical College Lucknow, as early as in 1952. Prof. T.N. Chawla was the first Dean of the Faculty of Dental Sciences at King George's Medical College. A keen researcher in periodontology, he was recognized for his research on fluorides and dental caries control; and oral prophylaxis' impact on periodontal tissues and oral health.

Periodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth, collectively known as the periodontium, which includes the gums (gingiva), alveolar bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament. The term comes from the Greek words “peri” (around) and “odont” (tooth), reflecting its focus on the structures around the teeth

 

Prof. Chawla was always very smartly dressed in suit and wore a white starched apron. I remember him visiting our school, Colvin Taluqdar’s College, and in a zero-hour period, explain to us, the school kids, the importance of dental health. The impact which he left on our impressionable minds was truly mesmerizing. He was a very good under-graduate teacher and as the teachers from Dental Faculty had only a handful of lectures in our MBBS curriculum, this lecture on Dentofacial Pain is still vivid in my memory.

 

Dentofacial pain can be either odontogenic or non-odontogenic in origin

A. Odontogenic

1. Tooth

·         Pulp

·         Periodontal  - priodontitis, pericementitis

2. Jaw

·         Alveolitis

·         Dry socket

·         Osteomylitis

B. Non odontogenic

1.Tempor-mandibular joint

·         Arthritis – Arthralgia, Subluxation, Clicking

·         Neuritis – Costen’s Syndrome

·         Bruxism

2. Para nasal sinuses – Sinusitis, CA. Maxillary Antrum

3. Otalgia – Ac. External otitis, Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM)

4. Ophthalmic

·         Iritis / Iridocyclitis

·         Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

·         Retrobulbar Neuritis

·         Heterophoria

·         Acute Glaucoma

·         Chronic Blind Eye

5. Inflammatory

·         Sialadenitis – Parotitis, Submandibular sialadenitis

·         Lymphadenitis – Pre auricular, Submandibular

6. Malignancy

·         CA. Tongue

·         CA. Oropharynx / Nasopharynx / Laryngopharynx

·         Ca. Maxillary Antrum

7. Spirochetes – Lymes Disease

8. Idiopathic

Myo-facial pain - muscular

Neuralgia

·         Trigeminal

·         Sphenopalatine

·         Glossopharyngeal

Neurovascular

·         Migraine

·         Temporal Arteritis

·         Histamine Cephalgia

·         Tension Headache

9. Psychosomatic – Psychalgia, Hysteria

10. Referred pain – Angina pectoris

Idiopathic pains and psychosomatic pains are non-organic and all the rest have an organic cause, which the treatment protocol needs to address.

 

Odontalgia: Odontalgia can either arise from the pulp or the periodontium. Pulpitis is the inflammation of the vessels and nerves in the pulp and it occurs when the pulp is exposed to various irritants – thermal, mechanical, chemical or bacterial. Pulpal pain is difficult to localize, as no proprioceptive fibers are present in the pulp chamber. It is only when the inflammation extends to the adjoining periodontium that localization of pain is possible. Careful clinical examination and radiography helps in differentiating pulpal pain from periodontal pain. However gingival recession, looseness of tooth, pocket formation or loss of bone points towards a periodontal disease.

      

 

Trigeminal Neuralgia: Trigeminal Neuralgia or tic douloureux is an intermittent pain of great severity, which commences in the 3^rd. or 2^nd. division and extends in time to the adjacent division, the ophthalmic division usually escaping. Occurring predominantly in females, the cause is usually unknown but considered related to the infection of the nerve by herpes simplex virus. The duration of the pain is brief to start with but gradually the pain free interval reduces, and eventually the patient has almost continuous pain and may become suicidal. The pain is described as red-hot needles searing the flesh and often has certain definite trigger zones. Spasms of pain are initiated by external stimuli like cold draughts, brushing teeth, washing, speaking, eating or drinking hot or cold substances. Treatment starts with oral analgesics like Tegretal. If pain gets incapacitating then 4-5 ml of absolute alcohol is injected into the Gasserian Ganglion. Relief from pain and anaesthesia stays from 6 months to 2 years after which the sensations return and so does the pain. 7.5% phenol in myodil injected into the ganglion under X ray control produces relief of pain without loss of sensation. Partial division of the sensory root of V cranial nerve, preserving the upper and inner 1/3 of the root, which has the fibers of ophthalmic division, by micro-neurosurgery, may bring lasting relief.

 

Sphenopalatine Neuralgia: Sphenopalatine Neuralgia or Sluder’s syndrome is a condition where there is pain about the eye, upper teeth and upper jaw, extending sometimes to zygoma and temple and occasionally producing earache and pain in and around the ear and mastoid. Photophobia, lachrymation, rhinorrhea, glossodynia and loss or diminished taste sensations are also frequent. Unlike Trigeminal Neuralgia the pain is more constant, lacking the severe paroxysms. The Sphenopalatine (Meckel’s) ganglion is believed to be irritated by infection or hyperplasia of sphenoid or posterior Ethmoid sinuses. The best diagnostic tool is to anaesthetize the Meckel’s ganglion and most permanent result is obtained by injecting absolute alcohol.

 

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia: Severe explosion of pain either in the region of tonsils or deep in the ear with a trigger zone in the tonsillar area is characteristic. The diagnosis is clinched by the fact that instilling or injecting local anaesthesia in this region relives the pain. In genuine cases the Glossopharyngeal nerve needs to be divided. The nerve can be approached in the tonsillar fossa after tonsillectomy, or through the posterior fossa as it enters the jugular foramen.

 

Paranasal sinusitis: Very hard to differentiate from odontalgia because of the close proximity of the teeth and maxillary sinuses, there is always a suggestive history of recent cold or influenza. If the pain is bilateral and improves on sitting up it is often frontal sinusitis. If the pain is unilateral and gets relieved on recumbent posture it is maxillary sinusitis. Bony tenderness over sinuses and painful tapping over more than one tooth of the upper jaw suggests a sinus lesion rather than a tooth lesion. Sinus pain is aggravated on walking and bending over. Transilluminating the sinus in a dark room clinically and cloudy sinus on radiography confirms the diagnosis. One should never be in a hurry in extracting teeth in presence of an existing allergy or cold.

That is how our lecture on Dento-facial pain ended. Whenever I see a patient of Dento-facial pain this lecture comes up vividly in my mind and helps me to come to a diagnosis.

Prof. Chawla's son Shobhit is a very accomplished Ophthalmologist, practicing in Lucknow and a wonderful friend, doing justice to the family legacy.

 

GREEK INVENTIONS OF YESTERYEAR

 

Greece today is in economic shambles and a burden on the European Union but their ancestors ruled the world in almost all spheres of life. Ancient Greek civilization represents the beginning of philosophical, political, social, ethical, and scientific advances in society. The ancient Greek people have had an enormous impact on subsequent Western  civilizations and it would not be an overstatement to say that some of them had far-reaching influences beyond the Western world.

 

Be it revolutionary philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, and Plato or the earliest of faces of Western literature such as Homer, Herodotus, and Pericles, the Greek influence on philosophy and literature is phenomenal. The theories proposed by Archimedes, Euclid, and Pythagoras are still studied to this day and have laid the foundations of modern science and mathematics. And one can never dismiss the cultural impact that Alexander the Great brought about when he invaded nation after nation, bringing them all under his single rule.

 

The ancient Greeks’ findings in the areas of astronomy, geography, and mathematics made them pioneers in the field of science. The Greeks’ interest in the scientific specification of the physical world can be seen as far back as the sixth century BC, and they have often been hailed as the fathers of science, medicine, zoology, and many other areas. A few Greek inventions from yesteryear are:

 

The Watermill

Water mills were a revolutionary invention and have been used all over the world for the purpose of metal shaping, agriculture and, most importantly, milling. To mill means to grind, and that invariably means to grind grain. This in turn led to the production of edible food staples like rice, cereals, pulses, flour, and so on. This useful invention takes its origins from the earliest known Perachora wheel, created way back in the third century BC in Greece, most likely invented by the contemporary Greek engineer Philo of Byzantium.

 

The Odometer

One of the most widely used instruments in the present day, the odometer, measures the distance traveled by a vehicle such as a bicycle or automobile. Even though modern odometers are digital, not so long ago they were more mechanical. Later they became electro-mechanical with the rise of technology. This omnipresent instrument was also being used in ancient Greece. Vitruvius first described the odometer as being used for measuring distance around 27 BC. The odometer was widely used in the late Hellenistic period and by the Romans for indicating the distance traveled by a vehicle. It helped revolutionize the building of roads by accurately measuring distance. The Romans were then able to carefully mark distances with milestones.

 

The Alarm Clock

The ancient Greek philosopher Plato (428–348 BC) was said to possess a large water clock with an unspecified alarm signal similar to the sound of a water organ. He used it at night, possibly for signaling the beginning of his lectures at dawn. But the first alarms used by the ancient Greeks were nothing like today. The Hellenistic engineer and inventor Ctesibius (285–222 BC) fitted his clepsydras or water clock with a dial and pointer to indicate the time, and added an elaborate alarm system which involved pebbles dropping on to a gong, or the blowing of a trumpet by forcing bell jars down into water and taking the compressed air through a beating reed at pre-set times.

 

Cartography

Cartography is the study and practice of making maps. It has played an important role in travel and navigation since ancient times. Even though the earliest known evidence of cartography points towards ancient Babylon as early as the ninth century BC, the Greeks took what they had at their disposal and brought cartography into a new light. Anaximander was one of the first pioneer cartographers to create a map of the world. Born between 611 and 610 BC, he made important contributions to the science of astronomy and geography.

 

Olympics

The modern Olympics are one of the greatest sporting spectacles of the modern age. But when Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the international Olympic committee, started the first modern Olympics in 1896, he was inspired by the ancient Olympics that were held in Greece more than 2,700 years ago. According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC. They were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the plains of Olympia, in the southwest of Greece took place every four years. People from all over the Greek world came to witness the spectacle. The victors were given olive leaf wreaths or crowns as prizes.

 

Western Medicine

Born in 460 BC, Hippocrates of Cos was an ancient Greek physician of the Classical age and was considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine. He was referred to as the father of Western medicine in recognition of his lasting contributions to the field and was the founder of the Hippocratic School of Medicine. He started to collect data and conduct experiments to show that disease was a natural process; that the signs and symptoms of a disease were caused by the natural reactions of the body to the disease process. The most famous of his contributions is the Hippocratic Oath, which bears his name. It was this document that first proposed an ethical standard among doctors.

 

Philosophy

The Greek developed philosophy as a way of understanding the world around them, without resorting to religion, myth, or magic. In fact the early Greek philosophers were also scientists who observed and studied the known world, the earth, seas, mountains, solar system, planetary motion, and astral phenomena. Their philosophy, based on reasoning and observation of the known world, played a pivotal role in the shaping of the Western philosophical tradition. Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were such influential philosophers that their studies were used to teach subsequent ages of Romans and other Western cultures.

 

Democracy

Although there is evidence that democratic forms of government, in a broad sense, may have existed in several areas of the world well before the turn of the fifth century, it is generally believed that the concepts of democracy and the constitution were created in one particular place and time – in ancient Athens around 508 BC. For this reason, Athens is regarded as the birthplace of democracy. This transition from exploitation by the aristocracy to a political system where all members of society have an equal share of formal political power had a significant impact on future civilizations.

 

Birthday Cake

This inseparable, and arguably the best, part of birthday celebrations has its roots in Ancient Greece. The celebration of birthdays originated in Ancient Egypt where the people believed pharaohs became gods when they were crowned. Their coronation, the day they were “born” as gods, was a day of celebration every year. The Ancient Greeks adopted the custom and were the ones to add a dessert to the festivities. Ancient Greek birthday cakes were moon-shaped, to be offered as a tribute to Artemis, the goddess of the moon. To make the cakes shine like the moon, they were decorated with lit candles. If you wonder about blowing the candles in making a wish, that bit was added much later, in 18th century Germany.

 

Jury

The first records of trial by jury come from Ancient Greece. During the 5th century BC a jury was established in Athens. It was massive by today’s standards; a typical jury consisted of 501 Athenian men, but for major or controversial cases, it could be expanded to over a thousand members always in an odd number. The jurors were so many in numbers to prevent any bribery from taking place.  Cases were decided by simple majority rule. After both the defendant and accuser had presented their arguments, the jury voted by placing a specific disk in a marked urn.

 

Spa Treatments

Ancient Greeks were the first to come up with a system of running water and drainage. They were very keen on hygiene, so it’s only natural that bathing became ritualized. In her book, ‘The Book of Bath’ Françoise de Bonneville writes that in 6th century BC Greece, "Bathing was becoming an art – of cleansing sands, hot water, hot air in dark vaulted "vapor baths", a cooling plunge, a rubdown with aromatic oils.” Many of these practices are still in use today in spa facilities. 

 

Vending Machines

Among their many great contributions to the world, the Ancient Greeks also left us the vending machine. However, the Greeks’ vending machines didn’t dispense candy and snacks but rather holy water. They were invented by scientist and mathematician Hero of Alexandria c. 10-70 AD, and described in detail in his book 'Pneumatics'.  Hero’s vending machine operated much like the modern version does - you inserted a coin into a slot, then the coin hits a pan, which was attached to a lever. When the coin hit, the lever would move, opening a valve, through which the holy water came out. These vending machines were a way for temples to earn some money while also helping the people worship.

 

Umbrellas

The forefathers of modern umbrellas were invented in Ancient Greece, too. Depictions of umbrellas made of large bones and wood or plant leaves at the top date back to 4th century BC. These devices were used to block the sun or rain. Interestingly, it was seen as ‘unmanly’ to carry an umbrella in Ancient Greece, and Athenian women did so as a sign of subservience.

Famous people from ancient Greece encompass a diverse array of figures who significantly shaped the course of history, philosophy, politics, and warfare. From philosophers like Socrates and Plato, who laid the foundations of Western thought, to statesmen like Perikles and Solon, who championed democracy, and iconic generals like Alexander the Great and Leonidas, whose military prowess left an indelible mark. These luminaries collectively defined the essence of ancient Greek civilization and continue to influence modern society.

Concepts like democracy, philosophy, modern medicine, Olympic games and Jury were first introduced in ancient Greece. Mathematicians like Euclid, Pythagoras and Archimedes, playwrights like Sophocles and Euripides, story tellers like Aesop and poets like Homer have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields to make ancient Greece a fertile playground for ideas and innovations

VINTAGE EXPRESSIONS FROM YESTERYEARS

When you learn a new expression, you are not just practicing vocabulary. You are unlocking a cultural code. Many vintage expressions reflect values, humor, and daily life from centuries ago. Understanding them gives you a window into history while making your English more colorful and authentic. Much like the music of every decade, each era has its own absolutely unique expressions that can spread like wildfire.

 

If you go back just a decade or two more, you'll find a treasure trove of incredible vernaculars. Learning these phrases gives you a playful way to connect with people, understand cultural references, and sound more natural when speaking English. They are not idioms in real sense but unique expressios, very popular in 1950s and 60s.

 

1. Daddy-O

"I like the way you roll, Daddy-O." Despite what it sounds like, the phrase has nothing to do with your dad. Traced back to 1950’s, this phrase was just another way of saying “cool guy”, or “dude”. It gained popularity from its frequent usage in the TV Series ‘The Many Loves of Dobie Gilli’ (1959-1963), which starred Bob Denver and Dwayne Hickman.   

 

2. Ankle Biters

"So, how are your little ankle-biters doing?"  While the phrase first makes me think about ants, it's used in a far more affectionate way. Ankle-biters is just another (albeit odd) phrase for children or kids, and sometimes pets. Some say this phrase can be traced back to Australian origins, but it was popular across the oceans as well in the 1950’s.  

 

3. Cut the gas

"Alright, I’m done listening to this. You better cut the gas."  This is just a quick and sort of aggressive way of telling someone to stop talking. When someone is running their mouth off like a motor, it’s a lot more fun to say “cut the gas” instead of saying “shut up”. Plus, there’s always the hope you’ll get a less negative reaction.   

 

4. Big tickle

"That movie was one big tickle." Big Tickle is another phrase from the 50’s that still works even today. It’s just a fun way of saying that something is extremely amusing or funny

 

5. Word from the bird

"No, he really couldn’t make it, word from the bird."  This phrase is a way of reassuring someone else that something said was/is true. It’s hard to tell what the origins of this phrase is, but I guess the bird is the highest authority of honesty in this case. This phrase can also be used as a way to show someone you’re agreeing with them.     Kid 1: That class was so lame.  Kid 2: That’s the word from the bird, man. 

 

6. Wet rag

"Forget about him. That guy is a wet rag."  In its most common usage, this phrase means someone who is weak or frail. It can also refer to people that are easily frightened, considered wimpish, and often follow whatever others are doing without thinking for themselves.

 

7. Cruisin’ for a bruisin’

"That boy better cut the gas, he is just cruisin’ for a bruisin’." When someone is “cruisin’ for a bruisin’”, they are acting in a way that is basically asking for a solid beating. If someone is using this phrase on you, it’s probably time to duck!  

 

8. Copacetic

"Don’t worry about it, everything is copacetic now."  Copacetic is the perfect word to describe peacefulness. It’s another way of saying things are going well, and without major incident or struggle.

 

9. Come on, snake. Lets rattle!

"This song is great. Come on, snake, let’s rattle!" Here we have a great way of saying “let’s move”. This expression was mostly used as a way of asking someone to dance when a fun song came on. It’s also another way of saying “we’re leaving”.   "I’m bored of this party. Come on, snake. Let’s rattle!"       

 

10. Flutter bum

"That man in my office is quite the flutterbum."  There are probably 100 different ways a man can refer to a woman as good looking (chick, babe, doll, etc.) In the 50’s, this expression covered the reverse side, and was commonly used by women to refer to any good looking man. We men need to bring this phrase back immediately.    

 

11. Bust a gut

"Stop tickling me, I’m going to bust a gut."  Have you ever laughed so hard and for so long, you honestly thought something inside you would explode? To “bust a gut” literally meant to laugh so hard at something, your insides ache. It is so funny you could die laughing at it.    

 

12. Far Out

"Have you heard this song? It is far out, man!" Much like its sister phrase, “out of sight”, "far out" doesn’t actually refer to things that are outside your line of vision or far away from you. It’s just a fun way of saying that something is awesome and you’re a fan of it.

 

13. Gimme some skin

"Hey, pal, long time no see. Gimme some skin!" This phrase is not to be taken in the literal sense. The “skin” refers to the skin on your hands. It’s an informal way of greeting someone and letting them know you want to shake their hand. It was also used later on to ask for a high five. 

 

14. Freak Flag

"I’m on vacation. Time to let my freak flag fly."  This expression has made being a "freak" fun, and gives all the self-proclaimed “weirdos” a cool way to proudly state that they’re the biggest weirdos around.

 

15. Can you dig it? 

"We are going to Anuj’s party tonight. Can you dig it?"  Here’s a phrase which, to me at least, is the king of rhetorical questions. It’s basically like informing someone that they need to get on board with something, but doing it in the form of a question so they feel like they have a choice.

 

16. Lay it on me

A: I’ve got a fantastic plan for our business. B: Great, lay it on me! This phrase doesn’t refer to anything actually being laid on anyone, unless you count information or opinions. When somebody approaches you with the premise for a conversation, this expression is a way of indicating to the other person that you are listening, in a casual and fun way. 

 

17. Bogart

"Hey! Don’t bogart all the pizza. Leave some for the rest of us."  This word was derived from the actor Humphrey Bogart, who had a penchant for letting a cigarette dangle in his mouth until it was burned to the filter. From this act, the meaning of the phrase developed. To bogart something means to hog it and not share any with others.    

 

18. Submarine races

"My girlfriend and I are heading out to join the submarine races tonight."  Despite the misleading name, this phrase was actually used in the 1950’s to refer to couples who used to enjoy getting intimate in their cars. When it was first used in the 20’s and 30’s, it was used to refer to the romantic spots where couples went and not the act itself.     

 

19. Hanky-panky

"I heard you guys were doing some hanky-panky last weekend."  It covers pretty much all and sundry of what lovers choose to do with each other, away from the eyes of the rest of the world. Not only is it all-inclusive and fairly subtle, but it’s also a lot of fun to say.      

 

20. Meanwhile, back at the ranch

"You went to the movies, but meanwhile, back at the ranch, I was still struggling to fix the leaky faucet!" It is just a way of referring to things that are happening elsewhere. It can be your home, your work place, or whatever the context replies.   

 

21. Five finger discount

"I heard she got that purse using the five-finger discount."  It’s a discount in a way, I suppose. This folksy phrase is another way of saying “stealing”. Its origins can be traced back to an old custom many countries had, where any one caught stealing would have their fingers cut off. So the running joke became even if you got a discount and didn’t have to pay any money, you’d still have to make a payment of five fingers.

 

22. Brick-house

"What a beauty! That girl is a brick house."  This particular phrase originated from a very literal understanding of the words. A brick house (a brick outhouse, to be more specific), was generally considered to be a very sturdy and solid structure, almost something to be admired. So when a woman was called a brick house, it was essentially a compliment to her physique, saying she has a good build to her.   

 

23. Home-skillet

"You and I have been through hell and back, home-skillet." It has nothing to do with kitchenware. This is just a term of endearment, and it is a way to refer to someone you’re very close to or have a lot of affection for; i.e., your best friend.

 

24. Keep on keepin on

"Don’t worry about it. Just keep on keepin’ on, brother." This is the perfect phrase to end on. It’s just a reminder that you should just keep on doing whatever it is that you’re doing, because you’re doing a fine job. Whether you’re saying it to someone or even to yourself, this phrase is a must in everyone’s vocabulary.

25. Snug as a bug in a rug

"After a long day, I curled up on the couch, feeling snug as a bug in a rug." Snug as a bug in a rug" is an idiomatic expression that means feeling very comfortable, cozy, and secure, much like a small bug wrapped up tightly in a soft rug.

Learning English is much more than memorizing grammar rules. It is about discovering the stories, culture, and traditions behind the words. That is why vintage expressions are such a fascinating way to expand your vocabulary. 

MAKING SOCIAL MEDIA SAFE FOR CHILDREN

 

If there is an age limit for driving, casting vote, consuming alcohol and getting married, then why is there no age limit on the use of smartphone and social media? After all, why do we not let children do certain things which their parents are allowed to do? It is because their brain is not yet developed. Their pre-frontal cortex, the part of the human brain responsible for reasoning, judgement, planning, impulse control, and understanding long term consequences is not fully mature in childhood and adolescence. That is why children are impulsive and at times volatile but parents are cool and collected and worldly wise. Social media however is an arena in which the children have invaded often without parental guidance, and that is creating a havoc all over the world.

While social media can offer children opportunities for connection and creativity, it can also present serious risks. Child sexual offenders often exploit these platforms to access children. OECD research has shown that as many as 50 services that are heavily misused to facilitate child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), including several mainstream social media platforms. But social media also presents other risks to children like preoccupation, escapism and conflict – particularly affects girls.  Social media has been blamed for suicide attempts, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and self-harm (with undetermined intent) among children.

Pressure to block minors from parts of the internet has been around since pornography and gambling websites overran the early global web. It has taken on a new urgency since a Meta whistleblower leaked internal emails in 2021 purportedly showing knowledge its products were harmful to young users. Meta, in turn, has said the documents were misinterpreted. Social media platforms like Facebook, X (previously Twitter), Snapchat, and TikTok were once hailed as ways to stay informed and connected, but reports of election manipulation, the spread of illegal content and fake news, and cyber bullying have since tainted them.

Countries are clamping down on social media for children due to health, safety and developmental concerns, along with challenges of enforcing age appropriate use. The number of such countries have gone up to 12. These policies aim to create safer online experience and reduce the risk associated with early and intensive social media exposure. The public and corporate attention on this issue is going nowhere and a gradual change in norms and practices is now demanded from social media providers.

Age-tiered safeguards only work if the service knows a user’s real age. The failure to verify a user’s real age has serious consequences. Children can create accounts with falsified birthdates, undermining age-tiered safeguards. For example, a child who signs up as a 13-year-old at age 8 could be treated as an 18-year-old by the time they are 13, gaining access to potentially harmful features such as direct messaging or live streaming. Most platforms still rely on self-declaration or only assure age in specific cases – such as when suspicious activity is detected or for access to certain features. Some platforms do not assure age at all.  Governments, then must provide clear, coordinated frameworks that uphold children’s rights and safety while balancing overlapping regulatory mandates – such as those overseeing online safety and data protection. Research on age assurance technologies and age appropriateness for digital services used by children is the need of the hour. Despite our best efforts some children, because of their ingenious and inquisitive nature, will find a way to fool the age verification system, but better age verification will certainly reduce the risk for some children, and that is surely better that doing nothing. 

Several systemic reviews published in medical journals suggest that there is a positive association between various patterns of digital use – i.e., frequency of social media use, smartphone addiction, suicide-related social media use, sexting – and suicidal thoughts and behaviours, in adolescents and young adults. However, whether such patterns confer suicide risk remains scientifically inconclusive. Given the consistency with which these associations were found across studies, however, as well as the ubiquity of social media and smartphones across the life span, it is imperative to continue examining whether and how such media may impact the mental health of the most vulnerable individuals.

Social media exposure during critical years of brain development can distort social perception, fuel anxiety and depression, and disturb sleep. Cyber bullying, psychological distress and sextortion among children are rampant. Shielding children from cyber-manipulation and addictive engagement mechanisms is urgently required. Social media is teaching our children and adolescents to measure their self worth against certain AI generated reels rather than real life human experiences. AI can make a child jump from their high-rise building like a superman, but when the real life child interprets it as a genuine possibility and attempts the same, the results are invariably fatal. Such dangerous game shows turn images into real identity and external validation overshadows internal values. The concepts of friendship, intimacy and self worth get totally distorted by these online games. The outdoor games of our childhood made us bold, expressive, attentive, and smart, where as these evil online games are providing children with ideas to harm themselves

Prevailing theories of suicidal behavior propose that the development of suicidal ideation – and the progression from ideation to attempts – occurs through various social and cognitive factors. Investigating such factors in the social media context may help improve our understanding of why certain aspects, or patterns, of social media use may be harmful.

What is the contrarian viewpoint?

There are mainly two - first, such a move is fundamentally disempowering for our future adults and instead of working to support them, make them more resilient, and enabling them to develop autonomy, we are simply trying to exclude them from these spaces. Secondly, by banning children from social media we are effectively putting the media companies off the hook, instead of forcing them to create safe spaces for these age groups. 

Countries around the world are taking notice and acting

Australia approved a social media ban for children aged under the age of 16 after an emotive debate that has gripped the nation. The landmark law threatens stiff fines against companies that fail to comply. The Social Media Minimum Age bill forces giants from Instagram and Facebook owner Meta to TikTok to stop minors from logging in or face fines of up to $32 million.

France: A law mandating social media companies to verify users’ ages and secure parental consent for those under 15 was passed in France in June 2023. According to the law, social networks that violate the rules face fines of up to one per cent of their global revenue. However, because the European Commission has not yet verified that the law complies with EU law, it has not taken effect for more than a year.

Germany: According to the country’s rules, children between the ages of 13 and 16 are only permitted to use social media with parental permission. Advocates for child protection, however, argue that controls are insufficient and demand that current laws be properly enforced.

Belgiium: In 2018, Belgium enacted a law requiring children to be at least 13 years old to create a social media account without parental permission.

Norway: 13 is the minimum age required to access social networks. However, data indicates that the vast majority of 12-year-olds and more than half of nine-year-olds are active on social media. Government is mulling ways to enforce the age limit.

Netherlands: Although there is no age limit for using social media in the Netherlands, the government did outlaw mobile devices in classrooms starting in January 2024 in an effort to cut down on distractions. Exceptions apply for digital lessons, medical needs or disabilities.

Spain: In June 2025, Spain also introduced a bill that would prohibit minors under the age of 16 from using social media. However, no date has been established for the text’s examination, and it has not yet made clear how age verification works.

Italy: Children under the age of 14 need parental consent to sign up for social media accounts, while no consent is required from that age upwards.

South Korea: The “Cinderella” law, which was passed in South Korea in 2011, prohibited children under the age of 15 from playing online games between the hours of midnight and six in the morning. The action was taken in part to reduce school fatigue. However, a decade later, the government overturned the decision and instituted a “choice permit” system that gave parents the authority to determine when their children might play. In August 2025, lawmakers proposed a bill aimed at regulating the use of social media by under-16s. In response, more than a dozen youth organisations slammed the bill as a discriminatory attempt to control young people similar to the “Cinderella” law.

Egypt calls is digital chaos and is formulating restrictions to counter it.

United States: Since 2023, several US states have passed legislation requiring a minimum age for account creation, banning “addictive feeds” or limiting the time children can spend on social media. The U.S. Court held that some companies had design defects that made their platform addictive to children, which can adversely effect their mental health. 

China: Since the internet is already strictly regulated by the government, it presents fewer obstacles to prevent the youngest members of the population from using social media in authoritarian regimes.  Since 2021 minors under the age of 14 are restricted. Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok, has a daily limit of 40 minutes for users under the age of 14, and children are not allowed to play games online for longer than that. Age checking is strict involving analysis of a person’s features, such as facial wrinkles or their hand.

 

 

India has 700 million internet users under the age of 25. Governments must introduce a comprehensive social media policy, as the unchecked spread of misinformation, rumours and online content is causing serious harm and lacks adequate accountability. Some gaming sites are addictive and outright evil and need to be banned. Digital detox programmes must be designed with responsible social media companies for the children who are in the toxic grip of nefarious social media gaming sites. Banning social media for the children under 16, and strict online age verification mechanism is required. Investment in digital literacy, parental support and treatment of the resultant mental health issues should all go hand in hand. Tech companies must be forced to create age appropriate online contents and safe digital environment for the vulnerable. Teachers and parents must take active interest in children’s digital lives and do hand-holding to keep them safe. Restrictions should be protective and not punitive, so that children remain children.