Toddlers who haven’t yet mastered the art of language and comprehension sway their chubby fingers across tablets with the utmost proficiency, resembling a sinister act almost akin to the work of a cult. This may just be a regular situation in an everyday household, but if we think deeply, how is this even possible? Why are we having a hard time teaching the little ones the traits of the real world, like how to say thank you or goodbye, while they learn automatically, without any assistance, how to penetrate the world of the internet, download their favorite games, and play them like a pro while earning points?
Once upon a time, people used to sit together during meal times to enjoy togetherness with their family and friends. For years, during this exclusive time, joys and sorrows have been shared, making it the best place for communication. However, the scenario today is very different.
Everyone has a smartphone in their hands, and instead of talking to each other, they look at their respective phones browsing the internet, socialising and chatting digitally. It reminds us of Einstein’s famous quote: “I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.”
Face-to-face conversations are a thing of the past, people swear by the word “Facebook” and artificial emoticons have become the trendy new way of expressing one’s emotions. Children acquire this behaviour of dependency on tablets, phones, and TV, from their parents. They learn from an early age that communication is meant to be virtual. Some parents even use these technologies to babysit their children while they have some relaxation time or gets engaged in some kind of work.
We are to be blamed for the emotionally-weak zombies that we are creating. It has been scientifically proven that TV is extremely harmful during the development of a child, affecting their behaviour and learning ability. Yet we still we allow them to watch television more than necessary. Plus, most children don’t even face any parental guidance in watching adult-oriented media such as horror movies or violent action films. This kind of behaviour only works towards forcefully ripping away the childhood years, compelling the kids to grow up faster than what is considered normal.
Most parents who have learnt the negatives of the new world order want to know how to save their children from addiction. The first step in curbing this obsession should be to let go of too much dependence on technology themselves, as the saying goes, “practice what you preach.”
Furthermore, this fixation can be easily curbed with simple, old-fashioned child-play. This kind of play helps children to learn bonding, to make friends, to express themselves, develop their linguistic capabilities, and enhance their cognitive behaviour. It makes them calmer and less prone towards any kind of addiction.
In order to prevent a future of humanoids being servant to technology, we need to encourage the development of real life bonding amongst our children, and that can only be initiated at home, as soon as we leave our unhealthy lifestyles, addiction towards the virtual life, and go back to living carefree lives free from mania.
