As proud parents of a Grade 1 student at Bhavan Vidyalaya Panchkula, we want to share a life-changing message from our school principal about the dangers of excessive screen time. It’s not an exaggeration to call it a "digital drug," as it can be just as addictive and harmful as substance abuse. This important lesson prompted us to take corrective actions, leading to significant changes in our family’s screen habits.
What Are Digital Drugs?
Digital drugs refer to the excessive use of digital devices, social media, and reels, which can have a detrimental impact on both children and adults. Overuse can lead to decreased attention spans, mobile addiction, poor sleep, and in severe cases, even mental health issues.
Leading by Example
As parents, we realized that our screen habits directly influence our child’s behavior. If we can’t resist the lure of this digital drug, how can we expect our young children to do so? We decided to lead by example, and the results have been transformative.
Positive Changes in Our Family
Since reducing our screen time, we’ve noticed massive changes in our family dynamics. We’ve replaced phone time with activities like reading, outdoor play, and family board games such as chess and Scrabble. Personally, as a 36-year-old who had never been much of a reader, I was inspired by the principal’s message to start reading. I’ve now completed 12 books since we embraced this change—a true life-changing experience for me and my family.
Influence on Our Child
Our child has also started picking up books, seeing the positive example we set. It’s incredible to witness how quickly children adopt healthier habits when they see their parents doing the same.
Practical Tips for Parents
For parents struggling to manage screen time, here are some practical tips:
● Set clear screen time limits.
● Start by reading just one page of a book each day and gradually increase this over time.
● Replace digital time with engaging activities like board games or outdoor fun. You’ll begin to see significant differences in just a few months.
Conclusion
I hope this blog encourages at least one reader to take action based on this valuable advice from our school. The long-term benefits for you and your children are well worth the effort.
Mr Rajat Srivastava
Father of Ridhaan Srivastava (Grade I Sangam)
