The recent news of Florida's decision to ban social media for minors under the age of 14 likely prompted many Indian parents to ponder implementing similar measures in their own households. Once considered as a means to reconnect with long-lost friends and relatives, social media now seems to have lost its way amidst the labyrinth of the digital world.
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What's particularly concerning is the frequent reports highlighting how social media is negatively impacting the younger generation. When was the last time we witnessed children playing outdoors after school or on weekends? Instead of engaging in physical activities, parents often opt for the convenience of handing their children tablets or mobile phones, inadvertently reinforcing a sedentary lifestyle.
Again it's not just the youth who are affected by the allure of social media and mobile phones; it's an epidemic that spans across all age groups. From the moment we wake up to the incessant pings of WhatsApp messages and Instagram DMs, to spending the entire day consuming endless streams of content across various platforms, and finally retiring for the night with our eyes glued to our screens, our lives have become increasingly dominated by digital distractions.
Statistically speaking, we're spending more time on social media than we are with our own families. Despite living under the same roof, are we truly present? The essence of quality family time seems to have been diluted amidst the virtual noise of social media.
Growing up, sleep was once synonymous with calm and peaceful surroundings. However now individuals returning to their empty homes, one common thing you'll notice is people turning on the TV or their phone or tablet and watching something like a movie, TV show, or news until they fall asleep. They might watch with their eyes half closed, just listening to the sounds and watching the screen.
White noise acts like an audio blanket, masking disruptive sounds in the environment. A steady background sound helps our brain focus less on sudden, potentially disruptive noises. White noise can be especially beneficial for relaxation and sleep.
Out of the 7.98 billion people in the world, about 5 billion are using the internet, which is about 63%. And most of these internet users, around 92.4%, are using their phones to go online. On an average, people spend about 6 hours and 53 minutes online each day, a study quoted in Forbes.
American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Adolescent Psychiatry found that spending too much time looking at screens, like TVs or tablets, can make it harder for young kids to learn how to read and understand language before they start school. It might also make it tough for them to pay attention for a long time or do more than one thing at once. When kids are between 0 to 5 years old, their brains are growing a lot and learning new things quickly. But too much screen time during this time can slow down how well their brains develop.
Moreover, using screens too much doesn't just affect how your brain works, it can also change how you feel and act. People are more depressed or more prone to anxiety and other issues.
In today's digital age, the pressure to stay relevant online is relentless. It's as if your entire worth is measured by the number of likes and engagement your posts receive. In this virtual realm, if you don't meet the arbitrary standards set by social media algorithms, you're deemed an outcast. It's absurd how such trivial metrics can have such a profound impact on the psyche of both the young and old.
Moreover, privacy is a luxury of the past in this so-called 'transparent' world. Social media platforms have become breeding grounds for intrusion into our personal lives. Every detail of our existence is laid bare for the world to see. It's frightening how easily people can draw conclusions about our lives, thoughts, and emotions simply by scrolling through our social media profiles.
What was once hailed as a tool to unite humanity has now become a double-edged sword, slashing through our sense of security and leaving us battered and vulnerable. The very medium that promised connection has morphed into a relentless assailant, leaving scars on our mental well-being.
(The author is IGP (Admin & STF), Assam. All views and opinions expressed in the article are the author’s own)