Digital Detoxification Digital Detoxification

 According  to a Paediatric Therapist in U K excessive touch screen use by modern day kids is preventing children`s muscles from developing sufficiently making it increasingly hard for them to even hold a pen or pencil, leave alone writing.  A lady speaker at our Rotary meeting mentioned that addiction to electronic gadgets is like drug or liquor addiction. Billions of people in this world, especially the youngsters, are gadget addicts living in a virtual world leading to a major social crisis. I was shocked.  Is there no solution to this problem? It seems there is.

A news item talks about the idea of `Digital Detoxification` becoming very popular in the Western World. The idea is to temporarily get disconnected from the `Data Deluge` that every one is subjected to every day. This is done by enrolling oneself in one of the hundreds of special `Digital Detox` camps which are held periodically in Resorts or in any facility available to the organizers of such camps. In the camp the participant refrains from using electronic communication devices like the smart phones or computers. This provides an opportunity to reduce stress, focus more on social interaction and connect with nature in the physical world. The benefits include increased mindfulness, lowered anxiety, and better appreciation of one's environment. I wonder if people undergoing this treatment also suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Closer home, many of the Nature or Ayurvedic health camps have already been banning the use of gadgets during the duration of the camps  by participating members. Of course in these camps the primary objective is to `detox` one`s body by various treatments offered by the organizers. If you also get `digital detoxification` it is a bonus .

I believe that such temporary efforts will not cure society from the harmful effects of the `data deluge`. What is required is to tackle the problem at the grass roots level. Right from the time when children are exposed to these gadgets. As the lady speaker mentioned earlier is attempting to do through her ` Jhoola Activity Centre` where  children  are  kept  away from  gadgets  and taught  social and life skills.   They are taught history and mythology through games. They are also introduced to traditional games. She  believes that parents should create and share gadget-free time with their children.  

She recommended that new born babies should not be exposed to any form of electronic screens until the age of two. Seems a good idea. But will the young parents take this advice seriously. I wonder. Because it is the parents who thrust the gadgets in troublesome children`s hands  to divert their attention so that they are free to do their chores.

I was happy to learn about other initiatives like ,`Utopia` started in Chennai which has facilities for fitness, music, dance, play, adventure and art where parents and kids can immerse themselves in a real world away from gadgets.

But you will agree that electronic gadgets have been a great boon to senior citizens, who have retired from active professional life. They spend most part of the day either watching television or are busy connecting with their near & dear ones through `WhatsApp` forwarding all kinds of messages. No need for them to attend `Detox camps`!

This article has appeared in the Adyar Times issue dt 21-30,2018, under my column `Rajan`s Random Reflections`

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