Kashmir at one point of time used to be full of life. The fields, the streets, the orchards—all alive with the sound of children. Running, laughing, shouting. The world was wide, and it seemed like anything was possible.
But today, you don’t hear that. Not like before.
Instead, you see them. The children. Their heads down, faces lit by the soft glow of their phones. Their fingers moving, scrolling, swiping. Eyes locked on games and apps. No one seems to notice it, but the sound of life in the streets is fading.
The games that once echoed through the lanes—Chhupan Chhupai, Kho kho, Saze lounge—are disappearing. Children are no longer playing them. They’re too busy with their screens.
A study by the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at Government Medical College Srinagar found that 63% of parents in Kashmir believe their children are addicted to mobile phones.
Many report that their kids spend 4 to 6 hours daily on screens, replacing outdoor activities with digital entertainment.
“We are witnessing a surge in cases of digital addiction amongst Kashmiri children,” says Dr. Arshad Hussain, a well-known psychiatrist in the region. “It’s affecting their cognitive development, attention span, and social skills.”
The problem is not just limited to mobile phones. Tablets, gaming consoles, and even online classes have become an excuse for children to stay glued to screens for hours. Many parents, though concerned, feel helpless in controlling this behaviour.
With limited recreational alternatives and an increasing dependence on technology, children are slipping into an unhealthy digital obsession.
The vanishing playgrounds
We didn’t have screens when we were kids. We had fields and trees, and the dirt beneath our feet. We made up our own games, our own rules. A ball, a bat, maybe a few friends—that was enough to create memories.
But today, childhood looks different. Children no longer race each other through narrow lanes or fly kites on breezy afternoons. The laughter of kids playing outside is fading, replaced by the silence of children sitting indoors, engrossed in their virtual worlds.
A study published in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine found that one in five children in urban Kashmir suffers from vitamin D deficiency—a direct result of decreased outdoor activity and prolonged indoor screen exposure.
In the last decade, childhood obesity in Kashmir has risen by 30%, linked to increased screen time and sedentary lifestyles.
Dr. Yasir Rather, a senior psychiatrist at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) Kashmir, warns: “Excessive screen time is replacing physical activities. This is leading to increased obesity, weakened muscles, and poor posture among children. Many of them are developing an addiction that will have long-term consequences.”
A 12-year-old boy in Srinagar, who used to be an avid cricketer, now barely steps outside. His father, a shopkeeper in Lal Chowk, says, “my son used to love playing cricket. Now, he only plays it on his mobile. He refuses to go outside, even when I insist. It’s like the real world doesn’t excite him any more.”
The social costs
Screen addiction isn’t just a health crisis—it’s a social one. The skills that once came from face-to-face interactions are being replaced by text messages and emojis.
“Children today struggle with basic communication skills,” says Dr. Asima Yousuf, a child psychologist at SKIMS. “They are losing the ability to read facial expressions, engage in real-life conversations, and develop empathy. Many parents bring their children to therapy because they struggle with simple social interactions.”
This lack of real-world interaction is evident in everyday life. Visit any family gathering, and you’ll notice teenagers sitting silently in corners, eyes glued to their phones instead of engaging in conversations. In schools, teachers report that children are less expressive and more distracted.
“I see students who can text at lightning speed but hesitate to ask a simple question in class,” says a teacher from a prominent Srinagar school. “They have become so dependent on virtual communication that real conversations make them uncomfortable.”
Mental health concerns
Psychiatrists at SKIMS warn that screen addiction amongst Kashmiri children has reached “pandemic levels,” with rising cases of digital eye strain, sleep disorders, and behavioural changes.
According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, excessive screen time is linked to increased anxiety and depression in pre-teens, attention disorders and lower academic performance and higher risks of developing social isolation.
In many cases, children experiencing screen addiction show withdrawal symptoms when their devices are taken away. Some become irritable, restless, and even aggressive.
“We recently treated a 10-year-old boy who developed severe anger issues whenever his parents took away his tablet. He had lost interest in everything else—school, friends, even his favourite foods,” says Dr. Arshad Hussain. “This is a serious issue that parents need to address before it’s too late.”
Another alarming trend is the increase in sleep disorders amongst children.
The blue light emitted from screens disrupts sleep cycles, leading to insomnia and poor-quality sleep. Many children now stay up late watching videos or playing games, which affects their concentration and mood the next day.
A call to action
Parents often argue that keeping children indoors is “safer” than letting them play outside. But is safety the only thing that matters? The rivers, the mountains, the fields—they’re still here. Waiting. But children don’t see them. They’re lost in the glow of a screen.
But what can be done?
Limit screen time: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that children aged 5-17 should have no more than two hours of recreational screen time per day. Parents need to enforce this rule firmly.
Schools and communities should promote sports, adventure activities, and outdoor games to make physical activities appealing again.
A designated “no-screen” day can help families reconnect. This means switching off mobile phones, tablets, and gaming consoles and engaging in activities like storytelling, hiking, or gardening.
Instead of just restricting screen time, parents should actively engage with their children in non-digital activities. Whether it’s playing board games, cooking together, or taking a walk, children need an alternative to screens.
Schools should conduct awareness sessions on digital addiction and promote reading habits, interactive learning, and outdoor breaks during school hours.
Imagine a Kashmir where screens go dark for a day—just once a week. A day when kids play outside again. A day when families talk to each other instead of staring at their devices.
A day when the world beyond the screen matters.
It’s possible. It’s simple. It’s just about making a choice.
Gowher Majeed Bhat is a published author, freelance journalist, storyteller, and educator, crafting compelling fiction and insightful articles on society and culture.
Kashmir at one point of time used to be full of life. The fields, the streets, the orchards—all alive with the sound of children. Running, laughing, shouting. The world was wide, and it seemed like anything was possible.
But today, you don’t hear that. Not like before.
Instead, you see them. The children. Their heads down, faces lit by the soft glow of their phones. Their fingers moving, scrolling, swiping. Eyes locked on games and apps. No one seems to notice it, but the sound of life in the streets is fading.
The games that once echoed through the lanes—Chhupan Chhupai, Kho kho, Saze lounge—are disappearing. Children are no longer playing them. They’re too busy with their screens.
A study by the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at Government Medical College Srinagar found that 63% of parents in Kashmir believe their children are addicted to mobile phones.
Many report that their kids spend 4 to 6 hours daily on screens, replacing outdoor activities with digital entertainment.
“We are witnessing a surge in cases of digital addiction amongst Kashmiri children,” says Dr. Arshad Hussain, a well-known psychiatrist in the region. “It’s affecting their cognitive development, attention span, and social skills.”
The problem is not just limited to mobile phones. Tablets, gaming consoles, and even online classes have become an excuse for children to stay glued to screens for hours. Many parents, though concerned, feel helpless in controlling this behaviour.
With limited recreational alternatives and an increasing dependence on technology, children are slipping into an unhealthy digital obsession.
The vanishing playgrounds
We didn’t have screens when we were kids. We had fields and trees, and the dirt beneath our feet. We made up our own games, our own rules. A ball, a bat, maybe a few friends—that was enough to create memories.
But today, childhood looks different. Children no longer race each other through narrow lanes or fly kites on breezy afternoons. The laughter of kids playing outside is fading, replaced by the silence of children sitting indoors, engrossed in their virtual worlds.
A study published in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine found that one in five children in urban Kashmir suffers from vitamin D deficiency—a direct result of decreased outdoor activity and prolonged indoor screen exposure.
In the last decade, childhood obesity in Kashmir has risen by 30%, linked to increased screen time and sedentary lifestyles.
Dr. Yasir Rather, a senior psychiatrist at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) Kashmir, warns: “Excessive screen time is replacing physical activities. This is leading to increased obesity, weakened muscles, and poor posture among children. Many of them are developing an addiction that will have long-term consequences.”
A 12-year-old boy in Srinagar, who used to be an avid cricketer, now barely steps outside. His father, a shopkeeper in Lal Chowk, says, “my son used to love playing cricket. Now, he only plays it on his mobile. He refuses to go outside, even when I insist. It’s like the real world doesn’t excite him any more.”
The social costs
Screen addiction isn’t just a health crisis—it’s a social one. The skills that once came from face-to-face interactions are being replaced by text messages and emojis.
“Children today struggle with basic communication skills,” says Dr. Asima Yousuf, a child psychologist at SKIMS. “They are losing the ability to read facial expressions, engage in real-life conversations, and develop empathy. Many parents bring their children to therapy because they struggle with simple social interactions.”
This lack of real-world interaction is evident in everyday life. Visit any family gathering, and you’ll notice teenagers sitting silently in corners, eyes glued to their phones instead of engaging in conversations. In schools, teachers report that children are less expressive and more distracted.
“I see students who can text at lightning speed but hesitate to ask a simple question in class,” says a teacher from a prominent Srinagar school. “They have become so dependent on virtual communication that real conversations make them uncomfortable.”
Mental health concerns
Psychiatrists at SKIMS warn that screen addiction amongst Kashmiri children has reached “pandemic levels,” with rising cases of digital eye strain, sleep disorders, and behavioural changes.
According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, excessive screen time is linked to increased anxiety and depression in pre-teens, attention disorders and lower academic performance and higher risks of developing social isolation.
In many cases, children experiencing screen addiction show withdrawal symptoms when their devices are taken away. Some become irritable, restless, and even aggressive.
“We recently treated a 10-year-old boy who developed severe anger issues whenever his parents took away his tablet. He had lost interest in everything else—school, friends, even his favourite foods,” says Dr. Arshad Hussain. “This is a serious issue that parents need to address before it’s too late.”
Another alarming trend is the increase in sleep disorders amongst children.
The blue light emitted from screens disrupts sleep cycles, leading to insomnia and poor-quality sleep. Many children now stay up late watching videos or playing games, which affects their concentration and mood the next day.
A call to action
Parents often argue that keeping children indoors is “safer” than letting them play outside. But is safety the only thing that matters? The rivers, the mountains, the fields—they’re still here. Waiting. But children don’t see them. They’re lost in the glow of a screen.
But what can be done?
Limit screen time: The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that children aged 5-17 should have no more than two hours of recreational screen time per day. Parents need to enforce this rule firmly.
Schools and communities should promote sports, adventure activities, and outdoor games to make physical activities appealing again.
A designated “no-screen” day can help families reconnect. This means switching off mobile phones, tablets, and gaming consoles and engaging in activities like storytelling, hiking, or gardening.
Instead of just restricting screen time, parents should actively engage with their children in non-digital activities. Whether it’s playing board games, cooking together, or taking a walk, children need an alternative to screens.
Schools should conduct awareness sessions on digital addiction and promote reading habits, interactive learning, and outdoor breaks during school hours.
Imagine a Kashmir where screens go dark for a day—just once a week. A day when kids play outside again. A day when families talk to each other instead of staring at their devices.
A day when the world beyond the screen matters.
It’s possible. It’s simple. It’s just about making a choice.
Gowher Majeed Bhat is a published author, freelance journalist, storyteller, and educator, crafting compelling fiction and insightful articles on society and culture.