- When the global community was inundated with the arrival of mind-blowing information-technology-driven initiatives, the wonder struck people were taken in by the opportunities galore it offered. The Internet was sensational, to say the least. Digitalization endeavours undertaken by governments across the globe were par for the course moves aligning perfectly with the requirements of the present-day world. One of the most defining moments for humankind was the advent of social media platforms riding piggyback on the revolutionary coming-of-age IT solutions/applications like the Internet of Things, machine learning, data analytics, and the most happening general artificial intelligence. These were making presence at breakneck speeds.
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- Of course, the introduction of smartphones completely altered the way humanity functions in the altered world. The easy and seamless availability of any information on the palm in an extremely endearing interactive way became a reality with the dynamic technology taking over like never before. So much so that even the traditional entertainment medium like the movies started streaming on the Over The Top (OTT) platforms alongside people’s connectivity over social media platforms storming our daily lives with such panache. Yes, the debilitating effects of COVID-19 did play a critical role in confining most of humanity to the comforts of four walls. This allowed smartphones to make their presence ubiquitous, irrespective of age factors.
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- The physical restrictions imposed during the lockdown period must have compelled parents to offer content on smartphones, television, and, of course, the hugely popular social media platforms. The addiction to electronic gadgets since then has been a reality check with even the little children getting a hand on the smartphone and subsequently getting hooked onto the same. In hindsight, it’s apparent how working parents confined to home as part of the work-from-home arrangements had no option but to indulge their wards with electronic gadgets like laptops, desktops, and smartphones. Parents from urban dwellings must have felt the heat, especially because of the prevailing situation back then.
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- But is it out of the reach of the parents to wean away the children from smartphone addiction when increasing incidents of teenagers getting hooked onto the medium are causing so much upheaval? Looking for validation from peers and contemporaries, emotional trauma, social stigma, inability to comprehend the dire consequences, pressure to live up to the expectations of parents and schools, and lack of patient hearing/sound counselling are bound to cause children to experience a sense of helplessness. This situation could be avoidable if only parents would go the extra mile to encourage children to adopt the tested, classical/traditional way of natural growth by weaning gently away from smartphone addiction. Did someone mention going back to the basics? Yes, indeed.
