We live in an era where many parents proudly say, “My child knows how to use a smartphone better than me.”
But beneath that pride lies a silent concern — are we giving them access or addiction?
In the race to keep children engaged, entertained, or “tech-savvy,” many parents have unknowingly traded genuine connection for digital convenience. We’ve built a generation that gets everything easily — but values nothing deeply.
The Growing Dependence on Screens
According to a 2024 Common Sense Media report, children aged 8 to 12 spend nearly 5 hours daily on screens, while teenagers average 8 hours or more, excluding schoolwork.
In India, a LocalCircles survey found that 78% of parents regret giving smartphones too early, citing screen addiction, lack of discipline, and social withdrawal as the biggest consequences.
We’re raising children who can swipe before they can write — and that’s not progress, it’s a warning.
The Instagram & Anime Effect: Copying What They See
Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and anime content have become the new “teachers” of behavior for young minds.
These short bursts of visual content — fast, flashy, and addictive — are shaping how kids talk, dress, think, and even behave.
Many children mimic dialogues, expressions, and mannerisms they see in anime characters or influencers. While creativity and imagination are valuable, the issue arises when they start confusing imitation with identity.
They learn that being loud equals confidence, disrespect equals independence, and popularity equals success.
It’s a dangerous illusion — one that replaces emotional intelligence with performative behavior.
A study by Pew Research Center (2023) revealed that nearly 60% of teens admit to feeling pressure to look “cool” online, and 1 in 3 feel anxious if their content doesn’t get enough likes or views.
This is not entertainment, it’s mental conditioning.
And our children are absorbing it silently.
When Boundaries Disappear
In many homes today, respect for the elderly often feels like an outdated idea.
Children no longer hesitate to argue, raise their voice, or roll their eyes when corrected. They want to stay in their rooms, isolated with their screens, and view any parental involvement as interference.
The word “boundaries” has turned into “restrictions.”
And the concept of family discipline has been replaced by “personal space.”
But true growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through conversations, disagreements, and learning to respect differing opinions, something no screen can teach.
Comfort Without Character
As parents and elders, we often believe we’re giving our children a “better life” by providing everything they ask for. But in reality, we might be giving them too much comfort and too little challenge.
When every desire is met instantly, new gadgets, clothes, or entertainment, children stop valuing patience, effort, and gratitude.
They start expecting life to be as easy as swiping a screen.
But life doesn’t work like that.
And when it doesn’t, they feel lost, angry, and unprepared.
Parenting Is Not About Convenience — It’s About Character
Good parenting isn’t about keeping children happy all the time.
It’s about preparing them for real life, where not every “yes” is instant, and not every “no” is unfair.
- Say no when necessary.
- Set time limits for screens.
- Encourage family meals, outdoor play, and storytelling.
- Teach gratitude and respect by example.
Children learn far more from what they see than what they’re told.
If we spend our evenings scrolling, we silently tell them that digital life matters more than real life.
A Wake-Up Call for Modern Parents
Let’s pause for a moment and ask ourselves:
- Do our children know how to wait?
- Do they respect elders without being reminded?
- Do they spend more time with people or with screens?
If the answers worry you, it’s time to act.
Because one day, these same children will grow up, and they won’t remember the expensive gadgets we gave them.
They’ll remember whether we were present, whether we listened, and whether we taught them what truly matters.
Let’s Bring Back the Real World
In trying to make our children’s lives easy, we’ve accidentally made their hearts empty.
They have everything, except the ability to value it.
It’s time we bring back conversations, boundaries, and respect.
It’s time we teach them to strike a balance between technology and humanity.
Because the future doesn’t depend on the apps they use, it depends on the values we instill today.
Shreyas Trivedi 