Today, it is a common scene in perhaps the majority of households that a young child, who resists eating their food on time, mothers or parents hand over their mobile phone in their hands, switch on some attractive programme not only to watch the favourite cartoon or some other programme but also force the child to eat simultaneously that finally becomes a habit or routine for a child, least realising that it is one of the symptoms of digital addiction. A recent verdict in the United States in favour of a citizen, who sued a leading social media IT company and won an announcement of restrictions in countries like Australia and the United Kingdom, reflects a major concern of the parents, families and governments worldwide over growing dependency, addiction and its impact on young, growing minds.

A court verdict in the United States is now raising serious questions about how deeply social media has entered everyday life, and how difficult it has become for people, especially children, to stay away from it. According to a report by the BBC, a jury in Los Angeles has ruled in favour of a 20-year-old woman who sued Meta and Google, accusing them of making their platforms addictive and harmful. The companies, owners of popular apps like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube were found by jurors to have knowingly designed features that encouraged excessive use, especially among young users.

The woman, identified as Kaley, was awarded $6 million in damages after the jury concluded that the companies acted with “malice” in how their platforms operated. Her case reflects what is happening across the globe, in every home. It reflects or highlights issues of not just an individual, but a growing global concern.

Today, social media is no longer just a tool for communication; it has become a daily necessity for millions. Many people feel incomplete without their mobile phones, as if they are........

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