A STEP AHEAD
Screen time panic Neerja Singh
Every generation faces disruptive technologies, yet why does today’s version seem like the end of civilization? It is not as though humans have not panicked before. Enlightenment, literacy, the industrial revolution – all brought fear and uncertainty to us but we managed to shift gears, metamorphosed and moved on. Jean Twenge, psychology professor at San Diego State University and author of the book iGen, says this time is different because it’s “much more sudden and pronounced” than previous generational shifts. Tristan
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TEACHER PLUS, SEPTEMBER 2020
Harris, former design ethicist at Google opines that “This is about the war for attention and where that’s taking society.” The image being evoked is that of “a thousand engineers” on the other side of the screen, working on “persuasive design” to snare our young. It may be true that more valuable memories can be created by spending time with friends and families. It is also feared that teens begin to lose the socializing skill with too much screen time. And then, there is Computer Vision Syndrome involving dry eyes, blurry vision, soreness and light sensitivity. On the other hand there are action video games that are considered good for hand-eye coordination. There is enough and more out there about harm reduction. Sit about 20 to 26 inches away from the screen. Dim the overhead light to reduce the glare. Get some sunshine and exercise. Take frequent breaks. But how about the Gen Z (born 1995 to 2015) many of whom feel their more authentic selves online?
Illustration: Boopathy Srinivasan
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here is a moral panic about screen time today. Is it good or bad? What kind of screen time is positive and what may be detrimental? Is it right for certain states in India to ban online learning? How much screen time is recommended? What are the best practices and safeguards necessary for maintaining the physical and mental wellbeing of children during the virtual mode of learning?
