It is rightly remarked that virtual socializing platforms have actually led to asocialization and has jeopardized the social cohesive bond among real social communities. So in actualized sense it has led to isolation. Although sitting in the same physical space , the family members are grossly glued to their cell phones , leaving little space for family members to interact in real sense. Even the toddlers don’t even get their share of care and affection from their parents . Modern day parenting believes in engaging their young ones by subjecting them to increased duration of visual screen display leaving little space for the growing up children to understand the contours of social milieu which ultimately leads to their maladjustment in the society. During the pre-internet era, the children were often found playing in the lawns , streets , playgrounds , visiting each other’s family , make in person friends and were literally devoid off life threatening diseases. But in the current circumstances , the children forge a bond with virtual friends without taking cognizance of their friends in the immediate physical neighbourhood .The children devote their maximum time on surfing internet , playing video games , using social networking sites and the content they assimilate is normally antagonistic to their overall development. In addition the children of the current era suffer from such diseases which were previously unheard of. Before discussing or debating about this plaguing issue, it becomes obligatory to glaze through what actually ‘Screen Addiction’ is ? A disorder involving compulsive overuse of the Mobile devices or spending too much precious Time on the visual electronic devices, is called ‘Screen Addiction’. It is also termed as Mobile Addiction or ‘Gadget Addition’. It is just like ‘ Drug Addiction’ .Since we are all aware about the fact that today is the age of Information Technology(IT) and no doubt we are continuously fetching enormous benefits from the Technological tools in every field, But unfortunately at the same time this Technology has trapped every individual in one or the other way and this has literally paralyzed our lives. From a layman to a Businessman, Poor to rich, Students to Teachers and from little baby to an old-aged person, each and every individual is seriously involved in this frenzy virtual world. The ‘screen addiction ‘ has enslaved us through various and multiple ways like social-networking sites- Face book, whattsapp, Instagram, You-Tube, video games. Etc. But one category who is most susceptible and who suffers a lot in the system is a ‘child’. At first parents are freely providing their smart phones to their wards in order to engage them as they are busy in their Schedules but after some time parents want it’s reverse but it’s all-in-vein. According to valley’s famous pediatrician Dr. Kaiser, by using too-much Smart phone, the child becomes a ‘Live dead body’. They don’t interact with anyone and instead prefer to spend as much as possible time on visualizing different themes on smart phones and other visual gadgets.
The HOI in collaboration with staff should give mass awareness among students and parents about the serious ramifications of the over use of smart phones .
According to Dr. Priyanka Jain,, a senior pediatrician, child may develop various behavioral issues including suicidal thoughts, depression etc.
Screen Addiction has number of harmful negative effects on child, Some of them are:
1.Poor vision: Constant staring at Screen seriously effect eye- Sight, They tend to get dry and sight becomes weak and blurred.
2.Memory loss : while continuously using Screen, the memory of the child is getting badly effect with the result it distracts them from the studies as well as in sports as they turn lethargic and obese .
3. Anxiety: The wide array of Video Games and other apps not only disturb them but also cause Anxiety, Headache, Depression and Migraines etc.
4.Reduced sleep: Spending too much time on the visual electronic gadgets disturbs their sleep pattern due to continuous harmful radiations which seriously effects their Health.
5. Serious effects on brain: The Harmful radiations emitted by visual electronic gadgets severely castigates ill effects on Brain cells, Neurons and other Internal organs. Even research shows it can cause brain.
Besides these, there are other Numerous Harmful effects on child like bad posture, Immoral Activities, Social disturbance, cyber bullying, poor academic performance etc. when children are much addicted to smart phones , taking smart phones back from them they develop another complicated disease called Nomo phobia, a psychological condition when children have a fear of being separated from smart phones.
Remedial way –out:
1. It has been observed and proved that parents are the main culprits who are directly responsible for the consequences because they are freely providing smart phones in the hands of innocent children. So parents should restrict this activity and should educate little kids accordingly.
2. Engage and involve children in different programmes, games and sports activities so that they may get less time to ‘Screen’ and thus becomes physically and Mentally fit.
3.Parents should reduce usage of their smart phones in front of little ones.
4.Make proper Time Table for children like when they should eat, sleep, take their food jointly etc in order to engage them and they get less time for screen.
5. Ask Questions to children like what they have learn today in the School Or which activity they did today in the School.
6. Schools or Institutions may play a pivotal role to reduce this server Menace. The HOI in collaboration with staff should give mass awareness among students and parents about the serious ramifications of the over use of smart phones .
(The Author is child prodigy of class 6th and has keen interest in writing. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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