Detoxing Children from Digital Addiction
Since January 2020, the world is reeling under the impact of Covid – 19 and the lock down that was imposed. Prisoners in their own homes parents and children spent a lot of quality time together but as it happens with all the things forced upon us, the physical proximity led to disagreements and disgruntled home atmosphere. Children became too demanding and parents had their hand full with domestic chores and home schooling.
Initially during the world’s longest lock down (82 weeks) schools came to a rescue by conducting online classes. The elite and the middle class children were happy to have the electronic devices and cell phones in their control. Gradually the laptops and cell phones became their sole playmates and bedside partners. Students became hooked to video games, learning platforms, socialising online. Children become aloof, self occupied and distant from the physical world. This initial period was a welcome change for one & all as children were busy and less demanding and parents found a respite to take care of other jobs.
The danger was looming near, the threat of the gadgets ruling the minds of children. Children were happier in the virtual world and it was difficult to drag them out into the physical world. Then came the digital addiction which was heading towards serious consequences for their physical and emotional growth. Bengaluru NIMHANS studies show a threefold rise in cases of children suffering from digital addiction. This tech addiction has gone up to alarming levels and parents and schools need to wean children away from digital gadgets by bringing change in the daily schedules and introducing a variety of interesting activities and incorporating outdoor leisure options.
Dr. Poonam Devdutt, a leading psychologist agrees and suggests music, sports, cycling, gardening & swimming to engage in enjoyable family activities to bond and re-establish physical and emotional connectivity.
Dr. Renuka a parent said that ‘taking a break or vacation with kids for a trek in the mountains rejuvenated and refreshed the body and mind’.
For parents some suggested activities could be reading together, story telling, cooking together or may be playing an outdoor game or joining a hobby class.
Digital screen time could be minimised to half an hour every day and to be strictly followed by the entire family.
While schools are best place for weaning children away from the digital world. Participation in a plethora of activities in the Stem Lab, Robotics Lab, Maths gym or brain gym, elocution, theatre, dance & music for indoor activities and all outdoor sports including swimming & tennis are activities which release endorphins or feel good hormones.
Ritu Dewan
Principal
Dayawati Modi Academy
Comments (6)
It is indeed very true ma’am, Thank you so much for putting great efforts to try and guide everyone through this wonderful message.
Very enlightening and practical words.
Regards
Saving our children from digital addiction is the greatest need of today’s world…very well written article Ma’am.
Thanks for guiding us.
So well explained…back to nature seems to be the solution and the need of the present hour!
Really very nice solutions
It’s really a big problem these days .I think good suggestion to cope up with the recent situation is by engaging kids in outdoor activities so that they can get rid of their gadgets