Gadgets have become a part and parcel of today’s life. The increased attachment to cell phones, iPads, laptops and the like are leading to social alienation, point out psychologists.
There are a good number of youngsters in Bangalore who spend a considerable amount of time chatting, texting and being on the internet constantly. As a result face-to-face interactions are reduced and these youngsters remain alienated from the society.
Dr Chittaranjan Andrade, professor and head, department of psychopharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) says that youngsters who spend more time on social media sites have less time to spend with real people. This diminishes their opportunities to pick up interpersonal skills in professional, social, and even family life.
“This also reduces their opportunities to develop their talents through hobbies
and sports. Finally, this diminishes their opportunities to practice healthy lifestyle behaviours, including exercise. E-relationships and e-experiences are far from the
real thing,” explains Chittaranjan.
Many youngsters don’t hesitate to say that they are addicted to Viber, WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter but confess they try not to go overboard. Seventeen-year-old Arjun wonders who isn’t addicted to technology in one way or the other. “There was a time when I was addicted to texting and chatting but now I’ve made concerted efforts to reduce that. While all these sites help connect with people and keeps you in aware of things, you tend to spend less time with real people,” agrees Arjun. He points out, “It’s good to have friends on Facebook but you should know who you are interacting with. It doesn’t pay to chat with total strangers,” he adds.
Joel JP, another youngster, confesses that he was addicted to chatting and texting until a while ago. “It’s important to select and use technology effectively. One must decide what kind of sites to visit and what apps to use. There are provisions to block sites that you don’t need and I think that must be made use of,” states Joel who concedes internet and social networking sites have become indispensable but it must be used wisely.
Dr Chittaranjan Andrade feels parents and grandparents should set an example. “In most houses, the grandparents spend most of their time watching television. Parents also watch a lot of television, or come home so late from work that their children don’t really have parents in the social sense of the word,” he shares.
He further states that parents will be successful only if, besides setting an example, provide access to alternatives at home and outside the home that their children can embrace as desirable ways of spending time.
Parents feel freedom comes with responsibility and that applies not just to children but parents as well. Kanchana Arni, a parent of two children, who are well over 25 years, says while navigating social networking sites for professional purposes is a must, spending time of Facebook just chatting with friends must be done within limits. “Yes, today’s youngsters are addicted to gadgets because they aren’t indulging in outdoor games, developing a hobby, reading books and parents seem to be too busy doing their own thing to regulate the activities of their kids in a proper way,” feels Kanchana.
Jossy Peter, a parent of two teenagers and an employee of LIC concludes, saying, “I think parents must make time to spend with their children. Today, youngsters are capable of thinking independently. It pays to be friends with them and guide them rather than be authoritative and get things done.”