Dr Piyali Arora
In today’s India, smartphones have become incredibly needful and are used by a large portion of the population. Two-year-old, Megha, glued to a cartoon on her mother’s phone refusing to eat unless the screen stays on;this scene, once unusual, is now common in many homes. From toddlers captivated by colourful animations to grandparents scrolling through news, and teens chasing Instagram ‘likes’, smartphones are shaping how we live, connect, and even think. With over 750 million smartphone users in India, including 90% of urban teens and 60% of rural youth owning a device by age 12,according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, 2024, digital wave is transforming lives.Apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat dominate the lives of young people. Adults, too, get caught up in chasing perfect photos, often leading to stress or self-doubt. A 2022 study in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry found that one in five Indian teenager faces mental health issues linked to excessive screen time, from body image struggles to cyberbullying.
World of Gaming and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Gaming and AI is bringing both benefits and risks.Many games encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking, but also creates eye strain, musculoskeletal problems, sleep disturbance, inability to concentrate in academic work because of monotony and unimpressive compared to digital games. Survey suggestedgames like ‘Valorant’ sharpen problem-solving skills, but their addictive designs lead to overspending or too much screen time. AI tools like ChatGPT can spark creativity and aid learning, yet they risk making children overly reliant, potentially spreading misinformation or raising privacy concerns.
In China, strict rules limit children’s gaming hours, while some U.S.schools teach students AI ethics. India, however, has no clear national policy on digital wellness or AI in education, leaving 20% of youth reporting anxiety tied to screen use, as reported in an article by National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, 2024.
Digital impact on family life
Family life is feeling the strain, too. In urban India, dinner tables fall silent as everyone stares at screens. Yet, in rural areas, like a Rajasthan village where children still enjoy phone-free storytelling, traditions hold strong. Reported in the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media,2008, Nordic countries like Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden are often recognized for their strong welfare systems and high living standards. They offer a model where parents co-engage with children’s digital lives, setting boundaries while exploring Apps together. Indian families are also known for their strong family integration and collaboration and thus they too may try more and more to engage with children’s digital life from an early stage, blending warmth with guidance to stay connected with them.
Young Innovators Rising
Despite the challenges, today’s youth are using tech to change the world. From Greta Thunberg’s global climate protests to India’s Disha Ravi rallying for environmental justice online, young people are making waves. During the 2020 lockdown, a 16-year-old in a small Indian town used WhatsApp to deliver groceries to elderly neighbours. Teenagers are starting YouTube channels, coding apps, and championing causes like mental health awareness. They are not just “screen-obsessed”, they are digital natives with purpose.
To help them thrive, we need action.According to the Self-Determination Theory youth thrive when they are given autonomy, competence, and connection. Instead of calling them ‘lazy,’ we should involve them in policy dialogues and encourage their tech-savvy nature for societal good.
Schools should teach students emotional intelligence and digital literacy. In a report published in India Today,2024,elucidated digital literacy pilot program conducted by teen age students in Bengaluru who learned to spot fake news and real ones. Parents can stop policing screens and start watching TikToks or reels with their children, using trends to spark meaningful talks. The government could create a “Youth Digital Charter” to promote safe, ethical tech use.
A Bright Future, Co-Created
The ‘MindfulTech Ecosystem’ promotes responsible technology use, reduces overuse, prevents procrastination, curbs impulsive online purchasing, and guide responsible tech use.
Simple digital feature, like a “device blackout” i.e. locking screens after few hours, has been proposed by researchers in 2019, which could encourage breaks and learn better tech habits. A “usage dashboard” showing app time, recommended by Common Sense Media, 2024, could help users make smarter choices. To curb impulsive online shopping, for users under 18, online purchases would need approval from a parent or guardian, using secure login steps. Federal Trade Commission ,2023, suggested that adults could choose to have a trusted contact confirm for expensive purchases. Shopping websites could also include a 24-hour waiting period before buying non-essential items, and set monthly limits to stop people from overspending (Journal of Retailing and Consumer Service).
Tech can also inspire creativity. An AI platform could let users share talents like art or coding, earning “Mindful Credits” for discounts or donations, secured by block chain. Apps with screen limits, cut use by 15-25%, and purchase reminders reduce impulsive buying by 10-20%.Turning offline activitieslike ‘reading’ or ‘phone-free meals’into ‘fun challenges with rewards’ could build healthy habits, as noted by researchers. To ensure access for all, government subsidies for affordable smartphones and public education on tech use could close the digital gap.
India’s National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog could lead the change, crafting AI and digital wellness policies within 12-18 months, as estimated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2023.
Community Power for a Digital Future
To make the digital world safer and more empowering, local communities can step up. Imagine neighbourhood tech clubs where children learn to code, create digital art, or build apps for social goodlike tracking local waste or connecting farmers to markets. These clubs, supported by schools and NGOs, could turn screen time into skill-building time. Parents could join workshops to understand apps their children use, fostering trust and open conversations at home. As one Mumbai teacher put it, “When we guide children to use technology with purpose, they do not just scroll-they soar.” By blending global ideas with India’s vibrant community spirit, we can help our youth shine in the digital age.
By working togetherparents, schools, communities, and policymakers,we can help India’s youth harness tech for creativity and growth, building a brighter, balanced future.
(The author is Associate Professor in Psychology , HED)
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