Digital addiction, a real threat to children

by Dr Sharad Kulkarni

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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