The use of NCDs in minors largely satisfies their need for self-validation. Indiscriminate use, however, can have the exact opposite effect. The majority of the stimuli minors receive through NCDs are embellished images that appear real to them. At the same time, they try to respond to this themselves through the use of filters, often challenging behaviour, and are disappointed when they fail to do so. This leads to their low self-image and self-esteem. Conversely, when their self-promotion efforts have an impact in the online world, they gain a temporary sense of self-esteem. Attempts of sexual harassment online are based precisely on this need for self-promotion among adolescents. Thus, harassers often offer the admiration that teenagers seek and thus gain their favour. Now consider if a sudden event were to occur and their “admirers” were to turn on them. Their psychological state deteriorates sharply and they become very vulnerable to situations of external manipulation. It is common for a predator to try to become the “daddy” or “friend” of his victim in order to seduce him. So this is another way to start an exploitative relationship. Give children the opportunity to talk about how they see themselves, what they like about themselves (either externally or internally) and what they are proud of. You can do this through an art activity where you invite them to draw their portrait as they wish and “embellish” it with positive attributes about themselves, favorite hobbies, favorite people, etc. Help them distinguish between the concept of “Real Self”, “Social Self” (how others see them) and “Ideal Self” (how they would like to be) and identify the elements they would like to adopt for their real self. Almost always, if not always, there is a great discrepancy about how others see us and how we see ourselves. Those who are strong psychologically will use this information to their advantage to become better. The rest of us feel that we receive an irreparable blow and break down psychologically. In general, the goal of parents, caregivers and teachers should be to strengthen the self-confidence of disabled children so that they can better shield themselves against attempts to exploit them. Of course, this is easier said than done when the daily life of these children is a challenge for them and their loved ones. Nevertheless, the recognition of a turning point in a disabled child’s confidence and self-esteem should be made known to the rest of his or her environment, since this is when the child is most at risk.
