Coronavirus pandemic has forced educational institutions to
temporarily shut down as governments across the world are attempting to
mitigate the immediate impact of school closures by promoting remote learning. This
means the little ones are suddenly exposed to digital technology and a host of
gadgets. While e-learning has become a bare necessity, parents should teach their
children to think of screens as something to handle in moderation.
Dr Sharad Kulkarni, Consultant
Surgeon (Ayurveda), Best Selling Author and Chanakya Awardee 2020, writes on the topic.
It was pretty common even 10 years ago to have forgotten
one’s phone at home. It wasn’t a big deal then. One could easily spend a day or
two without their gadget by their side. The scenario, though, has changed a
decade later. From work-related issues to information gathering for personal
needs, keeping up with the world or even for a financial transaction, we’ve to
turn to our smartphones. Now, forgetting phone at home means a lot of
inconveniences. Such close association with the digital device arouses questions
of health consequences. It compels one to analyse the repercussions of being so
dependent on the virtual world. For instance, most kids refuse to have food
without switching on the TV or the smartphone.
Digital addiction or social media addiction is a common
phenomenon faced by millions of people across the world today. Too much
dependency on social media is the primary symptom of this condition. As they
say, too much of anything is bad. The same applies for social media as well.
Virtual socialising has grown to become an essential part of our lives. While
it is mostly a blessing as it allows one to remain connected with their loved
ones, too much dependency on social networking can have negative effects as
well. Like any addiction, too much social media or digital presence begins to
take a toll on a person’s regular lifestyle and work.
Studies show a tendency among young people to invest their
time in virtual interaction rather than real-world communication. This grows on
to develop poor communication skills among adults who are more comfortable in
virtual interaction rather than physical one.
Psychological consequences of digital addiction are worse
than the social ones. An increased dependency on the virtual world renders
people unable to differentiate between the two. Young adults are more prone to
this condition. The digital world is designed to appear more lucrative and
attractive to people than the real world. It is created to be so. The
fashionable digital world seems more attractive than the dull real world. Less
interest in reality throttles down the motivation to work and gives way to
depression.
Today social networking is seen as a decisive element behind
juvenile depression. To kids, the real world no longer seems appealing or
useful enough. They tend to lose the track between the real and the virtual world
and fail to invest time productively.
To retain psychological sanity, it is important to take a
break from social media once in a while. Experts suggest a digital
detoxification occasionally. During this period, the individual is urged not to
interact with any social networking platforms whatsoever. This activity allows
one to have a better view of their surroundings as well as themselves to remain
motivated in the practical world. It is to be reckoned that social media is
nothing but an attractive piece of dessert which is good in small amount but
overeating may lead to serious consequences.
Harmful effects of gadgets on Kids
1. Deteriorates grasping power and concentration
2. Cyber bullying, crime, sexting, falling prey to online
predators
3. Unexplained tumour growth
4. Refractive errors
5. Easy fatigue
6. Mood swings
7. Obesity
8. Reduced cognitive functions
9. Binge eating
10. Depression
8 ways for digital detoxification
Parents are advised to follow this in order to make their
kids follow it!
1. Turn off Push notifications
2. Delete apps which are not necessary
3. Postpone scheduled checking of the screen
4. Turn off the internet especially when the mobile is with
kids
5. Keep gadgets out of the sleep room
6. Teach them reading habits to tackle screen usage
7. Periodically fast from smart gadgets
8. Schedule a time for mobile usage
(Dr
Sharad Kulkarni
BAMS,
M.S., (PhD)
Consultant
Surgeon(Ayurveda) | Best Selling Author | Chanakya Awardee 2020 |Vlogger | Influencer
Director
– Jeevottama Health, Bengaluru
www.drsharad.com)