Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 24: Amar Singh Club Srinagar held an interactive session to discuss the rising issue of smart phone and internet addiction, particularly among children and adolescents.
The event, titled “Common Interest Conversations,” aimed to address the harmful effects of digital addiction on young minds and the need for intervention.
The session was presided over by Prof S A Romshoo, Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology, and eminent advocate Zaffer A Shah.
Other key speakers included Dr Majid Shafi, Incharge of the Mental Health & Addiction Treatment Programme, Dr Tejinder Singh Sethi, Dr Najeeb Drabu, former Chief Information Commissioner G R Sofi, and several members of the Amar Singh Club’s Managing Committee.
In his opening remarks, Nasir Hamid Khan, Secretary of the Club, highlighted the alarming consequences of excessive digital use, particularly its impact on children’s brain development.
He explained that overuse of smart phones and social media could lead to brain damage, affecting creativity, focus, and emotional stability.
He warned that without intervention, future generations could become addicted to digital devices, losing critical cognitive abilities.
Khan suggested reducing screen time and encouraging children to engage in physical activities and sports as potential solutions.
Prof Romshoo also expressed concern, noting that the overuse of digital devices was stifling creativity among students and leading to academic underperformance.
He emphasized the importance of parents allowing children to experience failure, which is essential for learning, and urged schools to offer more hands-on activities, such as workshops and scientific explorations, to foster curiosity and skill development.
Zaffer Shah pointed out the dangers of excessive screen time, warning that children are increasingly relying on digital devices even for basic tasks.
He stressed the role of parents in managing device usage and called for more public spaces for children to engage in outdoor activities, as many parks and playgrounds have been commercialized.
Dr Majid Shafi, a consultant psychiatrist, discussed the growing addiction to digital devices in Kashmir, alongside tobacco and drug addiction.
He recommended practical measures, such as using black-and-white screens, turning off social media notifications, and making mealtime phone-free zones to reduce screen time.
The event concluded with a consensus that digital addiction is a pressing public health issue, requiring awareness and action at the individual, family, community, and government levels.
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