Mental Health is in shatters in today’s digital world. Adding to the already fragile emotional state of humans, social media and digital world has shaken the very basics of a healthy mind.
Before leaping forward to writing a sensitive topic like optimum mental health in today’s digital world, I recalled the golden days devoid of mobiles. A question always lingers in my mind – “What has increased screen time done to the generation Alpha’s mind, children born between 2010 and 2023” Tricky question! Worth Pondering over.
I believe that smartphones have replaced games and activities mostly done in 90’s or prior. Especially, I would like to pay homage to games like Electro, Legos, building blocks, brick games and many more. Generation X, kids of 90’s, indulged most of their evening times to frantic playing till the last threatening call of their angry moms echoed harshly in the ears. Gone are the days! They used to devote most of their leisure times in games, reading and sports. The toys and games not only helped develop infantile brains but also fine-tuned motor skills and build mental coping skills. Those were simple fun engaging tools to facilitate skill development at home.
For instance, Legos were excellent tool for fine motor development. The hand strength used to pull and push them together also improved hand-eye coordination.
Building blocks encouraged children to explore shapes, sizes, spatial relationships and enhanced visual perceptions. These activities boosted problem-solving skills and enhanced cognitive abilities.
Piercing together puzzles challenge improved children’s visual discrimination, pattern recognition, and spatial reasoning.
Money game made children understand complex matter like money, business and money transactions in an easy way.
Reading helped children relate to story characters and in the process developed better cognitive skills. Role playing in schools and homes, more interaction with friends and family boosted social skills.
Toys were more than just objects. They were constant source of education and entertainment. They helped explore and express emotions.
In back days, children learnt complex things easily with the help of simple toys, books and games. They mostly helped develop skills like-
- overcame difficult challenges
- role playing
- problem solving skills
- motor skills
- social skills
- learn to make choices
- interactive toys and personal interaction for a well-rounded development
Back then, parents motivated children to read books and novels and play outdoor games. These activities helped develop mental strength and boosted natural coping mechanisms. These activities are greatly replaced by screens and digital tools. Internet of senses (Ios) refers to a concept where technology interreacts with our senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell and enhance our experiences. These technology advancement and digital world in the long run can reduce our natural ability to physically recognise real sensory objects. All these have drastic effect on mental health in the future.
Mental health is getting impacted with the advent of technology. Increased sensitivity, irritability and emotional outbursts have become common. Feeling snappy and easily frustrated, experiencing irritation, mood swings are early signs of shaken mental health. Everyone goes through a lot of different moods, but sudden and dramatic changes in it, such as extreme anger or distress, can be one of the symptoms and tell-tale signs of poor mental health. Moreover, parents and children have less face-to-face interactions nowadays and this has reduced a robust shoulder at home front to provide first hand mental support.
Today, electronic devices are way normalized, but they are not enough to unlock kids’ mental faculty. So, 90’s and years ahead were far ahead of its time when it comes to mental health and better coping mechanisms.
In todays digital world, Social Media is like a family member and ingrained deep in our lives. With young adults getting hooked to screens like bees to honey, it is important to understand whether excessive use of technology severely impacts mental health. Researchers have started to empirically investigate these questions. Whether researchers will really find possible explanations for accurate mental effects of social media on focus, concentration and mental health is a tricky thing but there are increased incidences of body dissatisfaction felt by teens and young adults with advent of social media. Their constant interaction with screens has made them vulnerable to find how many likes and comments they received on a recent post. Dangerous digital age of fakeness!
Collaboration between technology companies, mental health professionals, educators, employers, policy makers, and the wider community is necessary. By prioritizing mental health and utilizing technology in a positive way, young people are more likely to achieve and sustain better health. In the next blog, we will discuss some fantastic coping mechanisms and combat these digital menaces to enhance mental health.