Children's addiction to smart phones

Children's addiction to smartphones

Farhat Lamisa

07/08/23

Nowadays, children's addiction to smartphones has become a growing concern in this generation. They are always using their parent's phones no matter what they are doing. If they are not given access to phones, they become desperate to get it. We all know that smartphones are an important device which have made our daily life easier. But, I'm really surprised by the fact that this device has become so accessible to a child who doesn't even understand the difference between good and bad.Thus, it results in different issues which act as a barrier to develop them as an established and intelligent individual.

There are many reasons for which children are getting addicted to smartphones nowadays. To learn more about it, kindly visit this page -

https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/smartphone-addiction-children-how-are-parents-responsible-it-3139896

I have two younger cousin brothers named Samir and Azan, they are so addicted to their Ipads which make me feel worried sometimes. From watching them grow up since their birth, I've realized that children's smartphone addiction can have a number of detrimental effects which are hampering their normal life. According to me, if this continues, it is going to have an adverse effect on their development which is going to make them suffer in the long run. Thus, it needs to be addressed and take necessary steps as soon as possible. The adverse effects they are facing according to my point of view are discussed here. 

The first and foremost thing they are facing is social isolation. It results in fewer in-person encounters, excluding children from authentic social relationships. For example- I've seen Samir getting detached from our relatives just because he plays games online all the time. Moreover, it hampers their academic performances as it hampers students ability to focus and concentrate on studies. Such as- Samir was a good student from class 1 to class 3. He got his Ipad in class 4 and started deteriorating his studies from that time. Furthermore, it results in both physical and mental health problems such as- eye strain, posture problems, sleep disruption, anxiety, low self esteem etc. For example- Azan is having problems with his eyes recently as he uses his ipads all the time.  Thus, I feel so worried for them as they are getting addicted to it so badly.

In order to reduce children's addiction to mobile phones requires a combination of parental advice, setting limits, and maintaining a healthy atmosphere. Monitoring how much time children spend on their phones and enticing them to participate in other activities, in my opinion, are crucial. Here are some points their parents and I try to take are:

First, it is important to set rules regarding smartphone usage, including times when screens are to be avoided, such as during meals, study sessions, and right before night. For example- parents of Samir and Azan always try to maintain this rule to limit their smartphone usage. Moreover, it is necessary to encourage them to engage in a variety of activities, such as sports, the arts, hobbies, and time spent with friends and family, to lessen their reliance on smartphones. Such as- I as an elder sister of my cousins always try to make them involved in various fun activities so that they can have fun even outside of their games. In addition, it is necessary to have candid discussions regarding the possible drawbacks of excessive smartphone use. For instance, I always teach Samir and Azan about appropriate technology use and internet safety. Also, they should be encouraged to participate in family activities on a regular basis to establish ties and counteract the temptations of screen time which I try to do everytime I meet my cousins.

To conclude, parents,  guardians and siblings should take these necessary steps to mitigate the negative impacts mentioned above. In this way, balanced use of smartphones can be encouraged which will be the best practice for the children. Thus, children of this generation will be able to develop as skilled and established individuals.