SRINAGAR: The Amar Singh Club, Srinagar, held the second interaction of its programme, Common Interest Conversations, on January 31, 2025, focusing on the pressing issue of digital addiction, described as an invisible pandemic. The event, chaired by eminent neurologist Sushil Razdan and presided over by Senior Advocate Zaffar Shah, brought together a panel of distinguished medical professionals and social commentators to discuss the ramifications of excessive digital engagement and potential solutions to mitigate its harmful effects.
Welcoming the participants, Club Secretary Nasir Hamid Khan expressed his gratitude to Sushil Razdan for his presence and acknowledged the legacy of his father, the late Sat Lal Razdan, affectionately known as ‘Masterji.’ He highlighted the invaluable contribution of the Razdan family to Kashmiri society and commended Sushil for continuing his father’s mission of fostering education, knowledge, and social responsibility.
In his opening remarks, Zaffar Shah underscored the significance of the discussion, citing the presence of esteemed individuals as indicative of the topic’s importance. He posed two fundamental questions for debate: whether digital technology was inherently problematic and, if so, how society could counter its adverse effects. He expressed concern over the increasing dependence on digital screens, particularly among children, and questioned whether unrestricted access to digital content was corrupting their value systems at a formative stage. Observing that a majority of young people are engaged with their devices even while walking, he described digital addiction as a man-made problem that required concerted intervention rather than passive acceptance.
Sushil Razdan provided a historical perspective, noting that while technological advancements such as automobiles and radio had been transformative, digital technology had altered lives in an unprecedented manner. He highlighted the stark distinction between ‘Digital Natives’—children born in the digital era—and ‘Digital Immigrants’—those who adopted digital tools later in life. He warned that digital overuse was leading to psychological disorders, including autism, attention deficits, and withdrawal from social interactions. Scientific studies, he noted, had demonstrated structural brain abnormalities in children overexposed to digital devices, impairing memory, learning abilities, and problem-solving skills.
He further elaborated on the physical and psychological consequences of digital overuse among adults, citing increased cases of headaches, neck pain, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and compulsive disorders. Advocating for stringent control over screen exposure in early childhood, he suggested that children under five should be kept away from digital devices entirely. Beyond that age, digital use should be rationed and supervised by family members. Encouraging outdoor activities such as cycling, swimming, and sports, he emphasised the importance of physical engagement in childhood development. He also lauded Kashmiri society’s strong social fabric, urging collective community action to curb digital addiction.
Kaisar Ahmad highlighted the alarming impact of digital addiction on children aged 0-18, describing it as a serious concern. He noted that even infants as young as four to six months were being exposed to screens, which was affecting their cognitive and social development. He warned that such exposure was linked to impaired eye contact, aggressive behaviour, increased obesity, and rising cases of depression and anxiety. He stressed the importance of parental awareness in combating this issue and called for educational reforms, including restrictions on mobile phone use in schools and enhanced counselling services.
Pulmonologist Naveed Nazir Shah reiterated the widespread nature of the problem, affecting children, adults, and the elderly alike. He pointed to the sedentary lifestyle induced by digital devices as a major contributor to various health disorders. Urging parents to take an active role in monitoring their children’s screen time, he advocated for a balanced approach to technology use.
Majid Shafi linked digital addiction to a range of mental health issues, including sleep deprivation, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders. He warned of an alarming correlation between excessive screen use and behavioural disorders, including aggression and criminal tendencies. Citing international examples, he advocated for legal regulations on digital exposure for children, similar to Australia’s ban on social media for individuals under 16.
Pain specialist Tariq Trumboo spoke of the rising incidence of musculoskeletal disorders caused by prolonged digital device use, particularly among young people. He detailed the strain placed on the neck and spine when looking down at a phone, leading to irreversible degenerative conditions. Orthopaedic specialist Najeeb Drabu echoed these concerns, citing increased cases of nerve entrapment and spinal issues due to excessive screen time.
Ophthalmologist Khursheed Ahmed warned of the harmful effects of prolonged digital exposure on eyesight, including digital eye strain, myopia, and retinal damage. He highlighted the surge in cases of young children suffering from vision impairment due to excessive screen time. As a preventive measure, he recommended limiting screen exposure, using blue light filters, and adhering to the 20-20-20 rule—taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away.
Psychologist Javed Iqbal noted the broader psychological implications of digital dependency, highlighting how modern families were increasingly disengaged from one another, with members absorbed in their devices even during meals. Stressing the need for mass awareness, he suggested that digital platforms themselves should be leveraged to disseminate information about the dangers of overuse.
Other speakers, including Rauf Ahmed Punjabi, G N War, and Sardar Nasir Ali Khan, called for policy interventions to regulate digital exposure. They discussed the adverse effects of online education, the declining literacy rates linked to digital learning, and the role of parental controls in managing content consumption. Musharaf cautioned against the role of digital addiction in facilitating cyber scams and online gambling, stressing the need for collaborative efforts from families, educational institutions, and the government.
Summing up the discussion, Nasir Hamid Khan described digital addiction as an insidious affliction affecting relationships, work, and mental health. He drew parallels between digital dependency and drug addiction, noting that social media, gaming, and online gambling activated the brain’s reward system in a manner akin to narcotics. Citing modern psychiatric research, he underscored the importance of ‘digital fasting’—a temporary abstinence from digital engagement to reset neural pathways and restore psychological balance.
Concluding the event, he announced that the insights and recommendations gathered from the discussion would be consolidated into a comprehensive framework to guide families, communities, and policymakers in addressing digital addiction. These proposals will be examined further in the next session of Common Interest Conversations.
