Digital Overload among Young Adults and Children

Increasing health and psychological issues among the younger generation owing to increased screen time.

The WHO recommends zero screen time for children under two, and no more than one hour
of high-quality, supervised programming for children aged two–five.
A new study published in BMJ Paediatrics Open, found that screen exposure among
children aged two–five in India far exceeds the WHO guidelines.

Factors for increasing overload:-

• Lack of adult supervision in nuclear families. A new study published in BMJ Paediatrics Open highlights “Parents used screen time for their own rest, to carry out household chores, or to pacify their children,” Hybrid mode of education and online learning post covid pandemic has exposed students to screens.
• Lack of concrete guidelines and policy on screen usage and digital ethics in schools where mobiles are often allowed for security and coordination.
• Digital devices as a medium of entertainment, recreation and social interaction appeals more to the younger generations among lack of community activities in urban spaces.

• Impact :-
  • Physiological impact
  • Reduced physical activity leading to lower stamina and energy levels
  • Increasing obesity
  • Deformity and impaired posture
  • worsening eyesight
  • Violence causing self harm
• Psychological impact
  • Social withdrawal and isolation due to reduced social engagement
  • Irritable and aggressive behaviour due to prolonged screen exposure.
  • Cyber bullying, stalking, trolling affecting self esteem and mental peace.
  • Disrupted sleep cycles and insomnia
  • Brain rot affects ideation and creativity.
  • Depressive and suicidal tendencies increase due to above impacts as overall mental well being declines.
• Poor learning outcomes and slipping grades in academics and extra curricular

Measures:-

• Directives by delhi high court for managing smartphone use in school
  • Safe deposit systems at entry
  • Prohibiting devices in classrooms
  • Educate students about online behaviour and ethical digital manners.
  • Disallowing smartphones explicitly for recreation and entertainment.
• Parental supervision and attention to observe and intervene in any pattern of digital
  • overload and excessive screen times by imposing fixed hours of digital curfews and
  • encouraging social interaction and engagement.
• Cognitive behavioural therapies for weaning screen usage and develop tolerance,
  • sleep therapies to restore sleep cycle and counselling to deal with any mental health issues.
• Initiating peer group based campaigns like PLANY {an online safety initiative by
  • students of Delhi} to acknowledge and foster dialogue about cyber safety and mental health.