– Shabana Javed
Kolkata: Excessive mobile phone use and social media engagement are not only impacting children’s education but also taking a toll on their physical and mental health. It hampers their creativity and critical thinking abilities, affecting their developing minds. Addressing these challenges, the Dawoodi Bohra community here has banned mobile phone use for children under 15 years of age. This decision, led by their religious leader, Syedna Aaliqadar Mufaddal Maula, aims to protect children from the harmful effects of digital addiction. The community is now encouraging its members across the country and worldwide to adopt this policy.
Dr. Masood Motiwala, a paediatrician, emphasised that early mobile phone addiction can lead to several health issues, including sleep disturbances, impaired social skills, reduced physical activity, shorter attention spans, eye strain, headaches, and behavioural problems. He also highlighted the alarming rise in myopia among children due to prolonged screen exposure and insufficient outdoor activities. To counter these issues, the Saifee Golden Jubilee English Public School is enhancing its sports facilities. The school secretary, Saifuddin Mandviwala, mentioned that parents have been counselled on ways to divert their children’s attention away from mobile devices.
Mazhar Hussain Sethjiwala, media in-charge of Dawoodi Bohras, explained that committees within mosques and community organisations will raise awareness about the dangers of excessive screen time. Awareness campaigns, seminars, and counselling sessions led by doctors and psychiatrists will be organised to educate both parents and children about the risks of mobile addiction.
This initiative aligns with global efforts to combat digital dependency among children.
