KARACHI:
Over 80% of teenagers in Pakistan are addicted to their screens spending an average of 6 hours per day on digital devices. This addiction is leading to a range of issues, including sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and social isolation. This is also affecting academic performance, with students reporting difficulty in concentrating and retaining information.
Some of the reasons behind this growing addiction include easy access to digital devices, social media platforms, and online games. The pandemic further exacerbated the issue, with remote learning and increased screen time becoming the norm. To combat this problem, we need a multi-faceted approach. We need to raise awareness about the negative effects of screen addiction on physical and mental health. Education institutes, parents, and the media can play a vital role in educating children and teenagers about the dangers of excessive screen time.
The youth should be encouraged to participate in outdoor activities and sports, reading books, and arts and crafts to develop new skills and promote a healthier lifestyle. Parents should limit screen time and monitor their children’s usage to prevent addiction. We must act now to tackle this growing problem to ensure a healthy and balanced lifestyle for our youth.
Javed Aqeel
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2023.
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