Imti Longchar
The pervasive trend of parents handing over smartphones to their children/wards as a means of keeping them occupied or entertained is having far reaching consequences. What might have started as a convenient solution for busy parents or those wanting a ‘me time’ has now morphed into a serious issue with detrimental effects on children’s well-being and development.
Reports from parents in most homes indicate a worrying trend of children displaying symptoms of addiction to their mobile device, leading to detrimental effects on their mental health and academic performance.
One of the tell tale signs of smartphone/internet addiction among children is the manifestation of irritability, anger, or crankiness when they are denied access to their phones. Anxiety, depression, withdrawal from social interaction, activities are also other symptoms. Children as young as 3-4 years are exhibiting tendency of addiction to mobile phones. This dependence on phone not only disrupts their emotional well-being but also hampers their ability to engage in meaningful interactions and activities offline.
Children, whose minds are still in the crucial stages of development, become ensnared by the allure of the screens, unable to break free from the endless cycle of digital stimulation. Many children are also struggling in their studies due to lack of focus and concentration, which can be attributed to spending excessive hours glued to their mobile screens.
Health-wise, addiction to mobile phone is leading to a number of ramifications such as text-neck, which is associated with looking down at a mobile phone for too long, digital eye strains which means burning and itching of eyes and blurred vision to name a couple.
In today’s digital world, children and adults alike utilize different forms of social media–such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp and Twitter. While these applications provide the ability to connect, and access news and information, they also can lead to cyberbullying, sexting, and Facebook depression, a term coined by researchers to define the depression associated with excessive social media use.
Now as a consequences, many parents find themselves at a loss on how to deal with their phone-addicted children. The once convenient solution has now transformed into a pressing issue, leaving parents feeling helpless and unsure of where to turn for help.
Here, the first step is for parents to educate themselves on the signs and symptoms of phone addiction and be vigilant in monitoring their children's screen time. Moreover, simply taking the phone away or imposing strict restrictions may not be enough. Instead, an approach involving open communication, setting boundaries, and providing alternative activities is essential to help lessen the risk of addiction.
What is more important is that parents should lead by example and limit their own screen time to set a positive precedent for their children while acknowledging their role in perpetuating the addiction.
Furthermore, it is pertinent to seek guidance from professionals such as pediatrician, counselors or psychologists to address the issue. This phone-based environment in which the children are growing today comes at a terrible cost and is hostile to human development.
