By: Zahoor Ahmad Lone
Smartphone addiction has become extremely common not just among adults but even kids. There have been several studies that have determined the number of teens addicted to their cell phones to be between 25% and 50%. A study published in 2019 looked at 41 studies published between 2011 and 2017 and concluded that 23% of children have “problematic smartphone usage” that leads to negative mental health effects. The present age is the age of science and technology. Science is doing more and more inventions for the welfare of humankind. The smartphone is one such invention. The invention of the smartphone has revolutionized the life of the common man. Every invention has merits and demerits. It is now up to the user how to use the thing. The same is the case with smartphone. Smartphone has a number of benefits. Besides being used for talking to our friends, relatives, and other people in any part of the world It is used as a camera, calculator, watch, radio, TV, etc. It gives the work of a mini-computer. Students are using the smartphone as a tool for education. During COVID-19 smart phone played a tremendous role in imparting education to students through online mode.
But the way children and adults are using smartphones has made them addicted to smartphones. They are improperly using smartphones. Children and adults engage themselves with different entertainment on mobile phones which include gaming and other means of entertainment. Not only children but our young generation has become addicted to gaming on mobile phones. Children, adults, and youth are playing different kinds of games on smartphones most time of the day.
They have become addicted to these games. The effects of smartphones on children are detrimental. According to medical experts continuously gaming and watching other entertainment programs on mobile phones badly affects the health of the user. Daily gaming has led to mental effects on children. It has badly affected the eyes and brains of these mobile phone users. The main side effects of excessive use of smartphones in children are behavioral problems, depression, sleep disturbances, obesity, attention and hearing issues, etc. Before any disaster happens parents must play their responsible role so that children and adults can be saved from this addiction Parents should make sure that kids do something active frequently. It is important to break up screen time and move around. The best way to curb smartphone addiction is to prepare a formal family media plan. This is a systematic approach to help your child use a smartphone right from the beginning. Parents should maintain a strict smartphone schedule to avoid unnecessary usage of the smart phone.
If you think your child is addicted to their cell phone, be on the lookout for red flags. Some possible warning signs of cell phone addiction in kids could include:
Insomnia
Anxiety or constant worry about where the cell phone is
Self-isolation from people in the real world
Anger and aggression over wanting to use the phone constantly
A need to use the phone even when watching television, eating, or doing any other activity
Excessive urgency to get to the phone
By introducing a schedule parents can improve the habit of routine which prevents the child from spending more time on screen. Smartphones have become an inseparable part of our lives. Therefore make sure to understand the child that he/she has to use the smartphone for a limited time. These days Parents lead a very busy life and the time they get to spend with their children becomes limited. Parents should engage their children in different games and other activities like cleaning, cooking, or gardening. It will keep children away from smartphones. Children should be encouraged to pursue different hobbies like gardening, painting or reading, etc.
Children should not be given mobile phones of their own before reaching the age of adolescence. Parents should educate their children about the ill effects of gaming and other entertainment on mobile phones. For the entertainment of children, other means should be encouraged like offline gaming which is available in the market. Children should be taught to play outdoor games which will keep them healthy and they also will get entertained. Parents should teach children stories like our ancestors were doing in their times for the amusement of children. Parents should also spend more time with children so that they would not feel lonely and in this way, they can get rid of their addiction of using mobile phone. Traditional household games like Sazze lung, Garmas, Choori Behuen, Trupan, etc. should be revived in our homes for the sole benefit of our kids. These games are a good means of entertainment for children.
Parents themselves spent most of their time on smartphones and tell their children not to use them. In these cases, children are bound to follow in their parent’s footsteps. Follow what you preach. Be a good role model for your child by limiting smartphone usage. Spend more time with your children by interacting, hugging, and playing with them rather than just staring at a screen.
Author is a teacher from Bandipora. He can be mailed at zahoorlone1979@gmail.com
