February 02/2025: The Rising Trend of Digital Addiction among children and young adults in Kashmir has become a major worry, with specialists warning that children with working parents are especially vulnerable.
The lack of parental supervision for lengthy hours frequently leads youngsters to excessive screen use, leaving them more vulnerable to the negative impacts of digital addiction.
According to mental health doctors, this addiction is primarily caused by a lack of parental supervision paired with unregulated screen time.
Dr. Abrar Guroo, a Consultant Psychiatrist at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) in Srinagar, told the Kashmir News Observer that children with working parents are more likely to develop digital addiction.
He urged people to follow international rules that limit mobile phone use, particularly for children under the age of five. “Instead of being exposed to screens, children should be encouraged to participate in activities that promote cognitive development,” he added, adding that monitoring what youngsters consume is also important in preventing long-term behavioural implications.
To counter this rising problem, Dr Guroo believes parents must be proactive in controlling their children’s screen usage. He advocated for boosting in-person contacts, supporting outdoor activities, and substituting screens with hands-on activities such as reading or creative play to help alleviate the negative consequences of digital addiction.
Creating a disciplined daily routine with defined screen usage limitations is critical. In circumstances where youngsters exhibit early signs of dependency, obtaining professional treatment becomes required,” he stated. (KNO).
