In this fast-changing world, speed has been given more importance than quality. Everything needs to happen in a spur of a second. Today’s youth is applying this impulsive nature in every walk of their lives. It has gone to an extent that even small dissatisfactions are leading them to take detrimental steps. This is the very reason for the rise in suicide rates.
It all starts with gaming. Advertising agents make people believe that gaming helps in improving mental health. In video games, the decisions are taken in one-tenth of a second, thereby tuning the brain to take decisions fast. In the last 15 years, the level of these devices took a high leap because of the change in lifestyle.
Reflecting on the last 2 years during the pandemic and lockdown times, it has been deeply rooted in young students as well, where each one got their own device due to online classes. That’s when the situation went out of control. Many parents were confused and alarmed, seeing the behaviour patterns of their kids unknowing of the reason behind their child’s depression, social anxiety, poor emotional regulation, interpersonal conflict, and suicidal thoughts.
This addiction requires detoxing to be done in a step-by-step process with great conviction. Taking them back to social life is more important to keep them away from the screen world. For that, first parents need to come out of their screen world. They need to recall their roots, and how their childhood was well connected with nature and people.
Talking to them and spending quality time is of utmost priority. Set up some get-togethers, and involve them in outdoor activities. Getting out of the house and connecting with nature, thus benefiting one's mental health immensely. Team up the children in your gardening and cookery activities so that they learn these important life skills at an early stage of life. There is no better book of wisdom than spending time with the grandparents and those moments are priceless.
This is where schools and educational institutions play a very important role. New Horizon School, likewise, has taken up initiatives during the pandemic and the post-pandemic phase to change the course of action when it comes to students. Getting kids to connect with the basic joys of life and get the most out of their childhood is what New Horizon School strives to achieve, hence the motto Abode of Excellence.
VandanaSatheesh is the Principal at New Horizon School, Bahrain