Information technology professional Mohammed Nafeez makes a lot of sense when he talks about mobile phones and how they have become a regular part of our lives.
Mobile phones, he says, are now woven into school life, social interaction and learning.
Teachers are using platforms such as WhatsApp, Viber and Facebook Messenger to send notices and updates to parents. Homework sometimes requires internet access.
Parents working long hours rely on phones to stay in touch with their children, so we say completely banning technology isn’t realistic.
That is where the real issue lies. The problem, Mr Nafeez argues, is not the phone itself, but how long children are on it, how often they use it and what they are doing while connected.
Many parents are voicing similar concerns. They worry about children staying up late on their devices, being exposed to inappropriate content, picking up bad language and behaviour seen online, losing interest in sports and outdoor play, and becoming angry or withdrawn when gadgets are taken away. Some parents admit they give in just to avoid arguments. Others struggle with guilt, knowing that phones can keep children occupied while they juggle work, household chores or younger siblings. Parenting in the digital age is no easy task, especially when screens are always on and never seem to run out of energy.
Health experts have also sounded the alarm. Excessive screen time, they warn, can disrupt sleep patterns, strain eyesight, affect posture and have an impact on mental health and social skills. Children who spend long hours glued to screens are more likely to suffer poor sleep, reduced physical activity and difficulty managing emotions.
With childhood obesity and lifestyle diseases here already a concern, less physical play only adds to the problem. Yet the key point remains clear. This is not about banning technology. It is about teaching healthy habits. Screens are here to stay. But we should be looking at them complementing family life.
Hopefully that makes sense. We live in an age of gadgets, internet connectivity and instant access to information. The world is at our fingertips. There is huge potential in the digital space for education, communication, creativity and business. Our children can learn new skills, explore new ideas and connect with opportunities that were unimaginable a generation ago.
The challenge, we say, is management. It is about guiding what our children see, listen to and read. It is about setting boundaries without shutting the door. It is about teaching them self-discipline, critical thinking and respect.
As Mr Nafeez suggests, technology is not the enemy. The real question is how we choose to embrace it and integrate it into our lives in ways that strengthen our homes. That should be the real talking point in every household and community discussion.
Parents everywhere, he notes, are quietly navigating the same struggle. They are not perfect, and many are exhausted. What matters is not flawless parenting but consistent effort. Small, steady steps like setting screen-time limits, encouraging outdoor play, and having open conversations about online risks.
At the end of the day, the strongest connections in any home are not Wi-Fi signals. They are the bonds between parents and children, siblings and loved ones sitting side by side.
We hope technology can enhance those bonds. It is about striking a balance!
