Rising Anxiety Among Teenagers
Teenagers are facing growing mental health issues, even before COVID-19; the pandemic made it worse.
Stress is caused by academic pressure, lack of free time, and worries about jobs and climate change.
Pre-teens and teens have packed schedules with school, tuitions, and tests, leaving little time for play or rest.
Real-life interactions are replaced by social media, which doesn’t give the same emotional connection.
Technology, Smartphones & Mental Health
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt links the crisis to smartphone overuse and lack of free play.
Smartphones cause sleep issues, addiction, and constant family conflicts over screen time.
Haidt’s four suggestions: no smartphones before high school, no social media before 16, phone-free schools, and more unsupervised play.
Some parents find these ideas too strict, suggesting instead open conversations, role modeling, and trust in teens' judgment.
The Power of Books and Reading
Books help children develop imagination, empathy, and emotional strength.
Reading in childhood builds the base for lifelong learning and emotional intelligence.
Even fairy tales teach about love, loss, and life lessons — essential for emotional growth.
Books can offer a happy escape and an alternative to excessive screen time.
Making Books Accessible for All
India has a rich tradition of children’s literature but access is unequal.
Affordable books (like those by National Book Trust) should be widely available.
Books must reflect the child’s real-life context and be available in many Indian languages.
Translations and public libraries are key to getting books into every child's hands, rural or urban.
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