Parents used to be very strict about their children's TV-watching habits in the past. They often set specific time slots for children to watch TV, usually after finishing their homework. This practice aimed to balance entertainment with their well-being.

Years passed, technology evolved, and smartphones became convenient, putting all the world's content at our fingertips.

Parents' behavior also took a 360-degree turn with technology. It has become common for parents to introduce mobile phones to children to prevent them from getting bored when they are otherwise engaged. They also use phones as a distraction during meals to avoid any fussy behavior. As a result, children become addicted to mobile phones.

Recently, the viral boy from Gilgit-Baltistan has further contributed to this behavior. It initially appeared as a cute, goodwill gesture from a young Pakistani boy who showcases his village and his sister's daily life. He gained even more viewers and fans when he appeared on a Ramadan transmission on a prominent media channel.

Many children and their parents have been inspired by the viral video of young Shiraz and are now creating their vlogs. This trend is concerning, particularly for children.

Parents are now promoting increased mobile phone usage among children, encouraging them to earn money and gain more views. These children no longer aspire to opt for traditional professions like doctors, engineers, or astronauts, but instead dream of becoming successful YouTubers.

As their childhood revolves around figuring out how to go viral and gain more followers, their innocence, sense of accomplishment, and the disappointment of not reaching these digital creator goals are negatively impacting their childhood experiences.

A well-known American doctor Dr. Vivek Murthy, has recently highlighted that the excessive use of social media is a major factor contributing to frustration and depression among young people today. US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, compared allowing children to use social media to allowing them access to harmful drugs.

In another statement, the World Health Organization recommends that digital devices such as mobile phones, laptops, or tablets should never be accessible to children under the age of one. Children aged two to five should limit their phone usage to one hour per day.

Research shows that most parents do not make efforts to limit their children's smartphone usage. In many instances, they are pleased to witness their children's diverse skills in using a smartphone. Most parents see no issue with this technology and social media.

While we can protect our children from known harmful substances, digital addiction is a problem that we, as parents, often contribute to. Excessive use of digital devices and social media can have harmful effects on children's development.

Instead of assuming our children are becoming addicted to digital devices and social media, let's focus on effective strategies to address this issue.