Smartphones reshape children's lives

Social media, modern technology and Wi-Fi facilities have completely transformed the lives of children and elderly people. According to experts, smart TVs and cinemas were popular in the past. Television provided an opportunity for every member of a family to sit together, while elders consulted their children, discussed different issues and tried to find solutions to them. However, smartphones, the internet and Wi-Fi have changed the culture of human life. An elderly woman, Mukhtar Begum, said her son lived in London and she asked him to bring her a phone with a large screen. "I spend a lot of time on my phone. It often happens that I pick up the phone absent-mindedly and then keep scrolling without realising how much time has passed," she said. "Everyone remains worried about this habit of mine. After reciting the Holy Quran and offering prayers, the smartphone has become a part of my life during my free time." Talking to The Express Tribune, she said her grandsons told her that she was always looking at her phone and asked them not to do the same, leaving her with no answer. According to a survey, people aged 50 or above who use social media said, "It has become a kind of epidemic. We have become addicted to scrolling. The use of social media increased during the lockdown to pass the time." Maryam, a nurse working at a private hospital, said she watched news, sports and fashion videos on social media during her free time while on night duty. A few days ago, she had limited her use and also deleted some social media apps from her phone, but she said she could not pass the time.