NAUSHAHRO FEROZE:
The increasing use of screens and electronic devices has corroded face-to-face connections with the human world — the world of family, friends and loved ones. Screens and technology have strengthened the emotional bond with the world around us but have weakened the physical connection with people. People nowadays seem closed off due to their addiction to technology and screens. People who are busy on their phones get detached from their surroundings and are unaware of the people they are physically with. They usually fail to cope with real-life situations as they have no time to experience the physical world.
In the digital world, people have forged strong online relationships. They are connecting and getting acquainted with new people regularly, but at the same time, they are growing apart from those that are physically close to them. People who excessively use their phones and devices often struggle to fully comprehend the profound emotions and sentiments of others. This fundamental difference is why physical contact holds a stronger connection compared to online interactions.
In addition to these mental challenges, the increasing use of screens in general also gives rise to various physical problems. One of the most concerning is vision impairment, as individuals who spend significant time on screens are at risk of losing their eyesight at a young age. Moreover, the digital medium poses ample opportunities for messages to be misinterpreted and misconstrued. Typing errors, inappropriate emojis and unfinished voice recordings can lead to misunderstandings between the sender and receiver, often resulting in relationship breakups. Is this trend a reflection of modern progress or a form of mental decay? This thought-provoking question warrants extensive debate and discussion.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 7th, 2023.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
