Trapped inside screens

Mobile phones have been the most prioritized things in the 21st century, and the fact that they have so much to offer cannot be denied at all. Our day begins with staring at phones, and ends with phones too. Mobile phones were once created in order to support voice calls from longer distances, but such has been the development that we can make video calls from anywhere in the world. Oh wait, it’s not just mobiles: tablets, laptops, TVs have been the center of attraction for everyone. This battle between humans and electronic devices has gone to the next level, where electronic devices have simply taken over humans.

Most electronic devices are available for lower prices but with really amazing features, and there all of a sudden, those are prompts that make a person purchase the device. Warranty, discounts have further made people buy devices, as they know it can be either repaired or replaced within no time. The most common reason of buying new electronic devices is because it’s the latest ongoing trend. Imagine the new iPhone has come out a few months after you brought your phone, but you still would want to trade it in for the latest trend. I totally get it that there are a lot of people getting these devices for status symbols, but is it really necessary for you to do the same? It’s understandable if these devices are the need of the hour, but sometimes it’s the ‘want’ of the hour, and not ‘need’. Sometime you must let go of this ‘want’ and focus on the needs instead.

Use of an electronic device is one thing, but with what I’ve noticed in the recent times is that people have been misusing these devices, especially kids. Playing video games, watching YouTube videos, chatting with friends, and in general staring at screens all day long. I get it you’re bored sitting at home, and just need something to kill time. Having certain privileges like screen time doesn’t mean you misuse it by being on screen all day. Yes, gaming could be your passion and it’s indeed possible that you can pursue it further, but doesn’t mean you get too much into it. There’s a certain limit of doing something, and its high time for us to revisit our screen time.

I recently discovered that my parents have been trying to avoid excessive screen time, unlike many others who allow their children to be on screen all day. I am no exception when it comes to being on screens. At first, it was very frustrating because the last one and half year has completely been on screens. I felt annoyed when my parents wanted me to decrease my screen time, whereas so many others spend all day on it. It sometimes takes longer than expected in understanding correct things, but the important part is understanding it, which I eventually did.

People have become so drawn towards screen, and there’s no reason why not. Entertainment platforms like Netflix, Hotstar have slowly and steadily become one of the most used apps ever. People can watch a web series for hours; such has been the craze of OTTs. These platforms have been a flicker of hope to kill boredom, but screen isn’t a long-term solution. We must prepare ourselves to not get bored in any situation, and find an activity instead. Binge watching has been the solution, as of now.

Addiction is the word that is rightly used for this situation. People have gotten too much into technology, and there’s literally nobody right now who isn’t tech savvy. This addiction needs a more advanced word because this tech addiction has gone to the next level. For example: a person has opened Instagram on his phone and has been scrolling for about 10 odd minutes straight. You’re sitting right beside him, and he finally keeps the phone down. There’s silence for a couple of minutes, but when you try to initiate a conversation, the other person once again starts staring at his mobile. This is what people have become nowadays; they just can’t live without screen for even 2 minutes. High time for us to stop worshipping screens.

You decide to not use screen for 1-2 hours straight, but admit it that it never happens so. People cannot literally go two minutes without screen, and that’s the problem of the hour. Stop staring at screens all day to kill time, and there are thousands of other things to do which are more valuable than this. There’s always time to get out of this screen dependent life, and it’s better late than ever. You can’t deny this fact, but if you don’t stop staring at screens all day, there are consequences and you’ll forever regret it. There will come a time when you will understand reasons of managing screen time, but hope it’s soon.