Rewiring of childhood
A few years ago, I missed an opportunity to be part of a child’s #tribe. A little girl in my neighborhood returned from her grandmother’s home, and while we were all happy to see her, our busy city lives quickly pulled us away.
I would see her occasionally and engage in baby talk, but I failed to notice what mattered. At just three years old, she wasn’t responding to her name, making eye contact, or speaking clearly. I regret not guiding her parents when it mattered most.
The truth is, excessive screen exposure is reshaping young brains in ways we are only beginning to understand. It reinforces addictive behaviors, alters impulse control and decision‑making, shortens attention spans, and makes deep learning harder. It also increases risks of anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, while creating dependence on digital validation that undermines self‑esteem.
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt, in his book The Anxious Generation (2024), describes what he calls “the great rewiring of childhood.” His research shows that the rise of smartphones and social media since the early 2010s has coincided with sharp increases in anxiety, depression, and attention difficulties among adolescents worldwide. Haidt argues that the shift from play‑based childhoods to phone‑based childhoods has altered brain development, undermined resilience, and created a generation more vulnerable to mental health struggles.
While these trends are well‑documented in the West, India is only beginning to confront the same challenges. Our children are growing up in environments where screens often replace play, conversation, and connection. If we don’t act now, we risk facing the same mental health crisis at scale.
Around the world, schools and communities are beginning to respond with stricter policies to reduce distractions and promote healthier learning environments. In India, we too must recognize the urgency of this issue.
This isn’t about rejecting technology, it’s about responsible use. It’s about asking ourselves: are we truly #present for our children, or are we #outsourcing their care to screens?
It is time to act. It is time to be the #tribe our children need.
On this platform, I am committed to raising awareness and sharing solutions that help parents, educators, and communities create healthier environments for children. Together, we can drive meaningful change.
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