Blog

by Mohnish Jaishing

How screen addiction, family conflict, and emotional neglect are reshaping our children's minds.

"Bachpan sirf school ki kitaabon ka naam nahi hota... woh ek mehsoos hota hai, jo zindagi bhar saath rehta hai."

It’s a Saturday afternoon.

Nine-year-old child sits quietly on the sofa, eyes glued to his tablet. A reel plays on loop, bright colors flashing, transitions jumping every two seconds. He does not flinch. His cousin tries to talk to him, but he barely responds. His mother, in the kitchen, sighs- “He does not play like other kids anymore.”

In the background, a faint argument between parents simmers behind closed doors.

He hears it. He always hears it.

We often wonder:

Why are children today so anxious? So angry? So distant?

But maybe the better question is:

What kind of childhood are we creating for them?

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1. Digital Childhood: A Quiet Invasion

Phones, once luxuries, have now become pacifiers.

“Toddler ro raha hai? Cartoon chala do.”

“Teen bored ho gaya? Instagram dedo.”

Screens were meant to be tools, not companions. But somewhere, between endless online classes and convenience, we gave them something more dangerous than freedom - detachment.

Children under 10 spending over 4-5 hours a day on screens is now normal.

Attention spans have shrunk. Emotional regulation has weakened.

Real friendships are replaced by followers.

And dopamine, the feel-good hormone, gets hijacked by likes and swipes.

Result?

A child who’s restless in silence. Who panics when bored. Who craves distraction, not peace.

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2. Ghar Ki Tension, Dil Pe Asar

We say: “Bachcha toh chhota hai, kya samjhega?”

But children feel before they understand.

When voices rise in anger at home, when blame replaces love - their inner world starts to crumble.

Constant exposure to parental conflicts leads to panic attacks, anxiety, and sleep issues.

Children may start blaming themselves for the tension.

Some become overachievers to "fix" things.

Others shut down completely - emotionally invisible.

And all of this happens silently, while we think, “Woh toh chup hai, usse kya farak padta hoga?

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3. It Was not Just About Studies

Yes, school pressure is real. Exams can be harsh.

But even if we remove academic stress, mental health struggles remain.

Because the real wounds come from:

Lack of connection - who listens without judging?

Loneliness - who understands without fixing?

Comparison - who accepts without conditions?

Today’s child might not be worried about math…

…but they are drowning in emotional math- measuring love, worth, and approval.

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4. "Just Let Them Be" Is not Enough

We often hear, “Bachchon ko bas free chhod do.”

But children do not  just need freedom.

They need guidance.

They need presence.

They need acceptance—not just when they top the class, but when they crumble.

They need us to:

Talk, not just instruct.

Sit beside them without phones.

Ask, “How are you feeling?” and really wait for the answer.

Say “I am proud of you” even when they fail.

Because what they do not say is still being felt.

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5. Bachpan Wapas Nahi Aata

 “Har generation ke paas apna waqt hota hai. Lekin bachpan ka waqt sirf ek baar aata hai.”

If you are reading this as a parent, teacher, sibling, or friend - ask yourself:

Are you emotionally available to the children around you?

Have you created a space where they feel safe to express, cry, or just “be”?

Are you giving them memories or just gadgets?

Because one day, this child will grow up.

And they will not remember the syllabus.

They will remember the silence. The fear. Or maybe - the warmth you gave them when no one else did.

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Let us Rewrite the Story

Mental health is not just about “therapy” or “crisis.”

It is about everyday moments.

The bedtime story. The no-phone dinner. The “It is okay to feel this way” hug.

We do not need perfect parenting.

We need present parenting.

We do not need to raise toppers.

We need to raise emotionally strong, self-loving, empathetic humans.

Because that — and only that — is what lasts.