Summer can be a beautiful time in Bermuda with plenty of glorious weather and our wonderful beaches, but, beneath the surface, a new era of unlimited distractions for youngsters, specially with communication devices that many parents are not even familiar with, carries hidden dangers that should not be ignored.

Parents are probably already struggling with new challenges that leave them feeling somewhat helpless, in trying to stay on top of the new world of changing lifestyles, and standards, they knew as children.

Although many youngsters are in touch with each other through these devices on a minute by minute basis, in many instances their connection with their parents is as distant as the South and North Poles.

Every year, despite warnings issued by Police, and other community groups, pertaining to dangers in leaving children unattended, often tragic incidents that occur. While we do not live in a perfect world, with closer communication between parents and their offspring, the safety bar could be raised significantly.

Summer programmes and activities are designed to keep youngsters active in a positive manner during school holidays, but not every youngster will be involved, and it is those on the outside who are most vulnerable to negative elements.

Sadly it takes only one person who feels left out to sometimes create problems for everyone.

Around the world it is a dilemma not easily solved. The recent mass murder in California, where a student unleashed his rage against society by killing six people before taking his own life, sent the nation into a state of shock, touching off more heated debate over gun laws in America.

Despite the loss of innocent lives in yet another gun tragedy, because of that nation’s obsession with guns, not much is expected to change in the near future.

Here in Bermuda, guns may not be as plentiful as they are in larger jurisdictions, nevertheless, the public is deeply concerned about criminal activity with weapons involved, especially with the number of victims in recent years.

Some comfort could be taken in the fact that the Police are trained, and equipped, to handle situations involving firearms. However, bullets have no eyes, and during the summer months children are everywhere.

Children are often targeted as couriers in the underworld of illegal drugs, not uncommon in many jurisdictions. Again communication devices, which have both good, and negative, aspects, are usually the tools used in such activity.

The communication gap between parent and child should never be allowed to widen to a point where focus on positive values diminish, creating a strained relationship that is not easy to repair.

Summer fun activities are not without challenges for parents, because without close cooperation at all times a child could slip beneath the water unnoticed, in a beehive of beach frolicking. Collective watching will help to make it a safer summer.

Another area of concern is that recklessness and speeding on our roads by inconsiderate motorists, is a serious threat to the public, and children who enjoy using pedal cycles to move about.

Accidents will happen under the best of circumstances, but failing to adhere to safety rules is one of the many challenges Police are confronted with daily, in trying to keep our roads safe.

The bottom line is that parents, guardians and everyone, should be alert in helping to keep Bermuda a safe place for our young people, to secure a better society for all.

Bermuda Day celebrations are now behind us, but if we could harness that spirit of unity which is so prevalent during the festivities, our Island would grow stronger in facing problems that are often made difficult because of divisiveness.

Tough economic times should never be an excuse for falling short in giving a child the attention he or she deserves, to meet life’s many challenges. No stone should be left unturned in protecting our children, because in doing so, we are protecting the future of Bermuda.