In recent years, there’s been growing public concern — even panic — on the issue of children becoming addicted to digital media. Educationists, social scientists, psychiatrists and health experts have expressed alarm that children are being incrementally distracted by social media platforms such as Instagram, Tik Tok, WhatsApp chat and the like. Suddenly there is panic about the health and mental well-being of children and teens spending too much time on social media entertainment which is flooding their cellphones.
In ParentsWorld, we have also expressed alarm over the digital addiction of impressionable children and youth suffering sleep deprivation, loss of learning and psychological problems such as lack of self-esteem and depression (see PW cover story https://www.educationworld.in/saving-children-from-digital-addiction/) because of prolonged hours spent scrolling through digital media platforms.
However there is a growing body of research that indicates that children and youth are merely mimicking the digital addiction of their parents who rarely display abstinence and control, and practice what they preach to children and teens. The world over, parents are ignoring the beam in their own eyes while fretting about the mote in the eyes of children. Therefore in our end of the year issue, we have turned the spotlight on the under-reported issue of parents’ digital addiction which may well be the root cause of children being attracted to the internet and social media with all their attendant dangers.
Therefore this time round, our Xmas and New Year cover story features insightful advice from educators, parenting and health experts on practical ways and means through which parents can reduce their own digital addiction, and set a good example for children to improve quality of family life.
There’s much else in this issue of ParentsWorld. Check out the early childhood essay by Dr. Himanshi Kashyap, a Gurgaon-based paediatrician, who busts some myths about milk and health drinks consumption benefits for children. Also the Adolescence story on empowering children with debate skills. Moreover, a timely story recommends ways and means to protect children from the disastrous effects of air pollution this winter.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
