One of the less discussed fallouts from the Covid-19 pandemic has been a sharp downturn in children going outside to play. While the pandemic surely exacerbated the issue, the core fault has always been the fact that Dhaka, as a city, has very few dedicated spaces where children can play and be physically active.
This has led to an increasing dependency on digital devices for children to glean most of their entertainment and recreation from, which takes away both the physical and social components necessary for a child's overall development.
To that end, it is clear that children -- particularly those in our overpopulated urban areas -- are being deprived of this basic right simply because there is a lack of adequate playgrounds. And the few that do exist are in such abject states of disrepair that they pose a threat to their safety.
A recent Dhaka Tribune report paints a dismal picture of how parents are increasingly becoming leading their children into a dangerously sedentary life. While internet devices offer an illusion of connection to children, according to experts, it is no replacement for actual socialization -- the lack of which can severely impact a child's mental development.
Public playgrounds can most definitely facilitate that kind of development as it engages a child to not only socialize with other children but engaging in sports and physical play helps them develop their critical thinking, creativity, and physical growth.
As a nation we need to realize that our children's development, both mental and physical, rely greatly on their ability to explore and interact with their surroundings, and that social development should not be limited to devices and screen time.
Our capital city is in desperate need of playgrounds and other dedicated spaces for children, otherwise we risk dooming an entire generation to an unhealthy, sedentary life.