SCREEN addiction—particularly excessive use of social media on mobile phones—has become a growing concern for families worldwide.

As digital platforms become deeply embedded in daily life, worries about their harmful effects continue to rise. I recall when my children were in school and college. I often warned them about excessive phone use and even threatened to confiscate their devices. At times, I asked them to leave their phones in my room at night, convinced that late-night usage would harm their studies and health. Ironically, today my children laugh and say, “Look, father is always on his phone.” I must admit they are right. What began as occasional use has quietly turned into a habit. Each morning starts with checking messages, which soon turns into endless scrolling.

Part of this habit stems from my professional responsibilities. I frequently used social media to promote awareness campaigns, events and public activities. Over time, the need to check updates and feedback became routine, eventually evolving into dependence. There was a time when owning a mobile phone symbolized prestige—a marker of so-called “VIP culture.” Today, smartphones have become both essential........

© Pakistan Observer