Dear Editor,

Recently, on a seven-hour late-night flight to Europe from the USA, I couldn’t help noticing a girl seated next to me who was on her smart phone for the entire flight playing games. She was probably 18 or 19 and travelling alone.

I glanced in amazement as her fingers moved rapidly around the screen, fixated and hardly pausing to even think; the only time she took a break was to eat and go to the washroom, and this was only for a few minutes. I thought about addiction, especially among the youth, and how excessive screen time might affect their mental health and focus.

This led me to read
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, a bestseller which outlined startling research pointing to a mental health crises among children due to how we have “rewired” their upbringing, learning, and development with an overload of digital technology and apps. I believe this crises will follow children into their teenage years and adulthood. Many successful influencers on social media struggle with depression and anxiety, and occasionally have to step back. Imagine talking to a camera 24/7, which is basically talking to self, sharing one’s life and experiences with strangers around the globe. No doubt this can take a toll.

Older adults are generally better able to control screen addiction and media due to real life responsibilities and priorities involving work, home, and family. Many of us grew up without Internet and devices with apps. We socialised in person as children, playing with each other, going to parks, interacting, and engaging socially. A blogger I follow speaks relentlessly about how she banned devices for her young children (until they reach 18). She felt as a single parent it was her responsibility to safeguard their mental health and well-being to prevent anxiety and help enhance their attention span, language, brain development, and social skills.

Many states in the USA and countries around the world have now banned the use of digital devices in schools unless used strictly for educational purposes; they are cited as an unwanted distraction to learning which may lead to loneliness, anxiety, and unhappiness. While some argue moderation is key, others say even limited exposure can lead to addiction among children especially, and this is where the real danger lies, as it affects their learning, development, and emotional intelligence to navigate life.

The concern is that an entire generation could be growing up with a lot of anxiety and social detachment. Advancement in technology is great, but as parents and educators we must find the ideal balance to link the realities of life and human experiences.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com