Ranju Jasrotia
A recent visit to a bank for some errands turned into a poignant conversation with the bank manager, a woman who, like many working parents, is navigating the complexities of modern family life. When I mentioned I was a teacher, she immediately opened up about her two young sons. Her elder son, just over seven years old, had started speaking remarkably late. The reason, she admitted with regret, was a significant oversight: she had given him a mobile phone at a very young age.
Living in a nuclear family and often not returning home before 6 or 7 PM, there was no one consistently available to interact with the child. While a maid looked after him, she couldn’t provide the same quality of engagement as a mother. The situation escalated until the child communicated almost entirely through gestures, prompting them to seek help from a speech therapist. The improvement, however, was painstakingly slow. It was his school teacher who ultimately became a lifeline, dedicating time each evening simply to talk with the boy.
The Detrimental Impact of Screen Time
According to the manager, the mobile phone use had made her son highly aggressive. Throwing things, screaming, and crying throughout the night became common occurrences, pushing her to the brink of considering quitting her job. She’s incredibly grateful to the teacher who now engages her son in daily conversations across various topics. They’ve also enrolled him in swimming and drawing classes to further his development.
This experience highlights a critical problem: mobile phones and the internet are significantly affecting our children. Kids are becoming increasingly isolated and mentally disturbed. Beyond the psychological toll, there are physical repercussions too, as children spend less time outdoors and are deprived of essential sunlight.
The Cost of Independence: Our Distrust in Joint Families
A deeper layer to this problem, I observed, is our collective reluctance to live in joint families. The pursuit of independence comes at an unquantifiable cost. We readily trust maids with our children but are hesitant to trust our own parents or in-laws, often resenting their well-intentioned advice or interventions.
The Evolving Role of Educators
This shift in family dynamics places an immense burden on teachers. Their role is no longer confined to just academics. As both parents are working nowadays . They don’t have time for their own children. This is the reason a teacher today must also act as a guide, friend, helper, mentor, and listener. They are now entrusted with imparting values and good manners, responsibilities traditionally shared within a larger family unit.
Recognizing this expanded role, CBSE recently mandated 50 hours of training for teachers. This comprehensive training covers various areas, aiming to equip educators not only to provide academic education but also to offer crucial emotional support to children.
The author is Teacher
Jodhamal Public School, Jammu
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