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The Screen time dilemma – the conflicted reality of today’s life

Moumita Chakraborty

“Screen time” is the new “TV”. When we were kids the only screens we had were televisions and billboards. Now we are practically surrounded by them. Screens have officially overtaken us (humans) and we are reluctantly giving in to this invasion.

Contradictory researches emerge periodically that fight this unending battle. Screen time good? Screen time not good?

What is the story of this unending screen time dilemma?

I am not sure. What is the alternative? Is it not that we spend all our time looking at our personal mobile devices going through other peoples lives? At work, the first thing we see is the Blue Screen (of death?) of our computer home page. We spend about 8 hours looking at various screens – meeting rooms, lunchroom TV, etc. On our way back home, we check our personal devices, at home, we check our screen for some entertainment- blame me for over simplifying, but it is a de facto lifestyle of millions of people across the world. 

Screen Time – A Frankenstein?

Of these various reports that emerge every day, some say screen time affects eyes, blue light damages the retina, some reports claim it gives us headaches, makes us emotionally jittery, we are addicted, losing our sleep, and losing our minds! Our kids are becoming a victim. Of all the claims this is perhaps the scariest to us. Kill us screen monster but spare our kids, we are evolutionally aligned to protect our kids, of course.

Some reports refute these claims as rubbish. Like global warming, the effects of screen time are a myth, they say.  Its all very cool, high tech, futuristic. We are living the life.

The Knowledge Age

We are also very proud that as a generation we are amidst the knowledge economy. We love learning, we love doing. Learn anywhere, all the time. The Internet is your oyster. With an unlimited supply of knowledge and information, there is no stopping us. When your kid is looking at a video- analyze what are they learning? Going home or in public transit? Better learn something. How about a podcast? Even loo times are not sacred anymore. Crush the candies to bust the stress, listen to uninterrupted music. The sacred knowledge portal of universe is open to you, how dare you  not consume?

Are humans universally designed towards consumerism?  From a generation of product based consumerism (which killed our planet by the way) to a generation of information consumerism -#likeforlike – #followforfollow (wonder what that will kill?!) 

When I look at the picture of my daughter playing in a park, swinging by the trees, I can go on looking. Head or eyes don’t hurt, my heart aches though. But as I read articles after articles, wandering from one link to the other, mind racing amidst global issues, I am exhausted. I am jittery, I snap – flustered at the purposeless reality.

Do it, do it. Don’t stop. In the generation of knowledge, every second is a wasted opportunity if you don’t grab it. But the head still hurts. Doesn’t it?

P.S- If you read this, i just added another 5 mins to your screen time

About Moumita Chakraborty

Moumita is gritty and persevering, besides being a subject matter expert on anything she sets her heart to. Her writing style pins on her empathy for the subject and fluidity of thought. She is great with people, which makes her a fabulous feature author and a Partner Relations expert.

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Moumita Chakraborty

Moumita is gritty and persevering, besides being a subject matter expert on anything she sets her heart to. Her writing style pins on her empathy for the subject and fluidity of thought. She is great with people, which makes her a fabulous feature author and a Partner Relations expert.

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