Screen Lock

Education experts once imagined the classroom as a place that nurtures confident and creative minds. That vision is now under strain from a growing but often ignored crisis. The problem is not indiscipline or rebellion, but the screen that now dominates a child’s daily life. Across societies, screens have become a major influence on how children think and behave. Many children are exposed to devices even before they begin school. What started as a way to keep toddlers occupied has slowly turned into dependence. The effects are now clear. A 2025 study in The Lancet found that toddlers with more than two hours of daily screen time are far more likely to develop speech delays and autism-like traits. The World Health Organization(WHO) recommends no screen time for children under two. Yet in India, data from the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IMAI) shows that children are already spending close to four hours a day on screens by the age of five. This pattern continues into the teenage years. Many urban teenagers check their phones soon after waking up. They also keep their devices near them at night. Such habits affect both sleep and concentration. Teachers report that students often struggle to stay focused in class. Attention spans are shrinking as young minds grow used to fast and constant digital stimulation. Short videos and endless scrolling are replacing reading and deeper thinking. The impact is not limited to learning. It is also affecting mental health. The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences(NIMHNS) has reported a sharp rise in depression among Indian teenagers since 2020. Social media plays a key role in this trend. Constant comparison and online pressure create stress and anxiety. The idea that the internet is safe for children is also misleading. Harmful and extreme content can reach young users easily through automated systems. Global reports show millions of cases linked to online child abuse, highlighting the scale of the risk. Despite these warning signs, the response remains weak. Children are often seen absorbed in screens in public places. Schools announce restrictions but rarely enforce them strictly. Technology companies continue to benefit from high user engagement. Safety measures remain limited and often ineffective. Some countries have begun to act with greater urgency. Australia is moving towards restricting social media access for those under sixteen. The European Union(EU) is strengthening rules on age verification. India, however, still struggles with uneven enforcement of existing regulations. The church and tribal organization in Nagaland have strong influence and this offers an opportunity to respond with clarity and discipline. However, real change will require firm action. Service providers must be required to block harmful content for minors. Strong age verification systems should be made compulsory. Devices should also include default safety settings for children. Schools must teach responsible screen use as an essential skill. Concerns about censorship often miss an important point. Young minds are still developing and lack full self-control. Protecting children from digital harm is a necessary responsibility, not a restriction. Society has taken similar steps in other areas of public health. Unchecked screen exposure is already shaping behaviour and learning. The effects are visible in classrooms and homes. Delay will only deepen the problem. The goal is not to reject technology but to use it with clear limits. Society must act together to protect attention, restore balance, and secure the future of the next generation.