With our lives becoming technology-dependent by a new degree every day, our screen time has increased exponentially. Where earlier we used to spend about 2 hours a day in front of our screens, this figure has skyrocketed today. Our primary activity of each day is sitting idly in one place and being glued to electronic gadgets. This not only negatively impacts our physical and mental health but also distances us from our loved ones and damages our relationships.
It is true that gadgets are now necessary more than ever. With everything being held online, gadgets are a boon to us. However, this does not justify us overusing them.
A study conducted by Lenstore this year found that screen time has increased by 76% during the pandemic.
This increased screen time has adversely impacted personal interactions among people. Most youngsters today are finding it very hard to communicate with others, making them feel lonely and depressed. People are not able to find time to do the things that they were able to do earlier as long hours of TV and games have filled up their schedules. There has been a drastic reduction in the family time that people used to spend together.
According to me, screen-free family time needs to be prioritized to strengthen bonds with our loved ones and spend some quality time with them. A large chunk of screen time can be reduced to do a variety of other activities such as reading, writing or gardening.
Every evening, I dedicate at least an hour of my time to my family by spending time with them. This not only keeps me away from my gadgets but also makes me more optimistic in these dire times.
“Why have anyone around if your phone is more entertaining? The people in your presence either chose to be around you, or you wanted them to be around you. Don’t disrespect them. Value every moment. When they are gone, they are gone forever.”
Hussain, 16, is an avid reader and writer. He has a keen interest in water sports such as sailing, surfing, and stand-up paddling.