A former teacher is on a mission to repair the damage technology has done to Redbridge’s ‘socially awkward’ children.

Psychotherapist Usha Chudasama, of South Woodford, has launched an initiative to combat the long term affects computer games and social networks can have on the development of social skills in children.

Her Healing Feeling programme looks to equip shy and withdrawn children with the tools to form friendships and display effective interaction with others by helping children as young as six deal with self-esteem issues.

Usha combines a variety of holistic approaches to help children - including life coaching, relaxation exercises, visualisation techniques and focus and attention workshops.

The psychotherapist offers her services part-time to children at Glade Primary School in Atherton Road, Clayhall.

Usha said: “Technology has definitely got its good qualities but unfortunately more and more parents are using it to silence their kids, which can lead to children not having the social skills to be able to deal with things like friendship.”

Usha, who helps children between the ages of six and 11, is concerned about how young people are using social networking sites and how it is affecting their ability to form valuable relationships.

“The easy access to the Internet children have has a lot to answer for in different ways with so many underage kids that have accounts and are becoming easy targets for criminals - not mention those who are exposed to inappropriate content.

“For instance, one child saw a beheading on Facebook and now they could be traumatised by it, so it’s quite a slippery slope.”

The psychotherapist is concerned about how online behaviour is altering relationships offline.

“Social media is all about building superficial relationships so it’s important to have relationships with people offline, not only because it helps them understand themselves but because it’s vital for them to function in society when they’re older.

“It seems as if I’m painting a really bad picture but that’s just the reality of it now.”

Visit healing-feeling.co.uk for more information.

Read more:

15 Redbridge children feared to be at risk of sexual exploitation

Redbridge child poverty ‘of great concern’, says Mike Gapes MP