hether you return home after a long day of work or spend a quiet Sunday indoors, it’s increasingly common to find children glued to smartphones, watching videos, reels or shorts. Even more surprising is that children as young as three or four can navigate these devices. They may not know how to type, but they’ve mastered voice commands. For instance, I recently watched my four-year-old nephew speak into the phone, mispronouncing Spider-Man as Shhipder Man. YouTube’s algorithms are so advanced that it instantly pulls up Spider-Man videos for him.

If anyone tries to take the phone away, he becomes visibly upset, often breaking into tears. The moment the device is returned, he’s back to being content, lost in the world of videos. This is something you’ll see in many homes in the country today. We need to ask ourselves: how is this affecting our children?

As children grow into their pre-teens and teens, this behaviour extends to social media platforms. It’s now common to find 12, 13 and 14-year-olds with their own Instagram accounts, spending significant amounts of time browsing, posting and interacting on these platforms. Social media has become a major part of their daily lives.

For many, it’s not just about staying connected with friends but also following influencers, participating in trends and sharing snippets from their own lives. Take, for instance, the trend of posting daily updates, from what they’re eating to the latest challenge they’ve taken on. They are drawn to the constant stream of likes, comments and the sense of validation that comes with those. This attachment to online engagement can sometimes blur the line between virtual and real-life social interactions, impacting how they view themselves and others.

It’s not just about using social media—children are heavily influenced by it. Many aspire to be like social media celebrities, constantly talking about follower counts and viral content. You’ll often hear them say things like, “Did you know that person has millions of followers?” or “They just posted a new video, and it’s amazing!” They even mention how some personalities gain millions of followers within just 24 hours of creating a social media account. This has become the daily conversation among teens, not just with their friends but also with their parents.

If parents don’t show interest in these topics, teens often respond with frustration, telling them, “You don’t understand anything about the modern world.” This growing gap between parents and children highlights the powerful influence of social media and how it shapes the way young people perceive success and popularity.

The increasing trend of children being glued to their phones and constantly using social media has become a major concern. Parents everywhere are asking whether this is right? It’s a hot topic of conversation among families and friends, as nearly every second parent shares the same worry. They discuss the potential impact on their children’s mental well-being, social skills and overall development, wondering if this reliance on technology is doing more harm than good.

They are drawn to the constant stream of likes, comments and the sense of validation that comes with those. This attachment to online engagement can sometimes blur the line between virtual and real-life social interactions, impacting how they view themselves and others.

TNS talked to a few parents, and they shared their concerns. Mr Rizwan a parent from Rawalpindi, said, “My child hardly engages in any physical activity because of social media.” He reflected on his own childhood, saying, “Back then, we played cricket every day and participated in other physical activities. After school and homework, we would go outside to play sports. By sunset, we’d be so tired that we’d go to bed right after dinner. But now, I see kids staying up past 10 pm, still glued to their phones, even using them right before sleep.

Another father, Mr Aftab, expressed his concern about the declining interaction between parents and children. “I remember in my childhood, we used to talk a lot with our parents. But now, children don’t seem to have time for that anymore. They prefer using their smartphones over having a conversation with us.“ He added, “This lack of communication is growing. For problems that children would ideally discuss with their parents, they now turn to Google or online communities for advice.”

An interesting perspective was shared by Mr Sadaqat, a grandfather, who believes that this issue isn’t limited to children—it affects adults as well. In a light-hearted tone, he remarked, “This isn’t just a kids’ problem, adults are the same these days.” He said that even when his grandson tries to talk to his father, the father is often glued to his mobile phone, casually responding with a “hmm” or a simple “yes” or “no,” without even looking up. Mr Sadaqat asked, “If the parents are not fully engaging in the conversation, what can we expect from a child who’s already obsessed with social media?”

This phenomenon is spreading by the day. It is stopping children from engaging in physical activities, socialising, reading books and attending family gatherings. This shift is not only affecting their physical well-being but also their mental health. Issues like bullying on social media and exposure to inappropriate content are adding to the challenges children face today.

On the other hand, some people argue that social media and technology are helping children learn and gain exposure. During the Covid-19 pandemic, online platforms became essential for education when schools were closed, showcasing their value in facilitating learning. This creates a lot of confusion, as there is no clear “yes” or “no” answer to whether social media is good or bad for children. The real challenge lies in managing and balancing its use to ensure the younger generation benefits from the positive aspects while being protected from the harmful ones.

Governments around the world are starting to take action. For instance, the Australian prime minister recently announced plans to ban social media for children under the age of 16, citing the negative effects on their physical and mental well-being. Similar debates and discussions are ongoing in other countries as well. Only time will tell how these measures will unfold and what repercussions they may bring. One thing, however, is certain, this is a pressing issue for our younger generation. The sooner we find a solution, the better it will be for their future well-being.

The writer is a communications specialist based in Rawalpindi. He may be reached at qureshiwaqas@gmail.com.