The Dawoodi Bohra community has taken a significant stand in the battle against a growing concern - child phone addiction. With parents across the globe facing this issue, the community has launched a mobile screen-free campaign specifically aimed at children below 15. This initiative has brought schools, counsellors, and doctors together in support of the mental health of their young ones. It is an integral part of a global programme launched on Monday.
The Dawoodi Bohra Community's Fight for Child Well-being
Arva Jaal's Journey to Wean Her Daughters Away from Screens
Arva Jaal, a mother of two girls aged 8 and 13, attending the community's school at MSB Institute of Education in Mazgaon, noticed a concerning decline in her children's focus and attention span. Their academic performance also started to slip. As part of the campaign, she used various strategies to keep her kids away from screens and engaged them in games to foster their development. She even linked her elder daughter's phone to a Family Link app supported by Google to monitor and restrict content. However, kids being tech-savvy, they managed to deactivate the app. So, she advised them to play outdoors, emphasizing the harm excessive screen time can cause to mental health.Another aspect of the campaign is the active involvement of different entities within the community. The Mumbai office of the Dawoodi Bohra has taken the lead, roping in schools run by the community at Breach Candy, Mazgaon, and Mohammed Ali Road. Various trusts and departments are also involved in this initiative. Seminars are being conducted at community centres to underline the need for collective action. Special initiatives and programmes, with the support of doctors and experts, are planned to help the community make the shift to healthy lifestyle habits among children below 15. Parents are being encouraged to engage in physical activities with their children at home through sports, books, games, and connecting with nature.Zainab Lokhandwala's Realization and Shift in Parenting
Zainab Lokhandwala, a parent residing in Sandhurst Road with a four-year-old daughter, initially used the mobile as a distraction when introducing solid foods and gave it to her child when she went out. But when her child started picking up inappropriate things from the internet at the age of three, she realized the need to control screen time. Now, she firmly believes in encouraging children to play. She understands that cognitive, fine motor, and gross motor skills develop through play. She realizes that as parents, they are responsible for introducing their children to good habits and have the power to control screen time.Dr Zahabiya M Bagwala's Insights on Child Phone Use
Dr Zahabiya M Bagwala, a pediatrician, highlights that children hooked to the small screen not only show psychological symptoms but also face ophthalmological issues. By the age of 15-16, when the pre-frontal cortex of the brain develops, it is the appropriate time to give them a cell phone as they can understand right from wrong. This emphasizes the importance of timing in introducing mobile phones to children.Dr Huzeifa Husein's Perspective on Screen Time and Eye Health
Dr Huzeifa Husein, an ophthalmologist with Saifee Hospital, points out that hyperopia used to be common among children, but now there is an epidemic of myopia due to excessive screen time. Children not spending enough time in sunlight also contributes to this issue. In Australia, young people under 16 are banned by law from using social media. This leads to the need for age-restrictive usage of cell phones, including a blanket ban on devices for children under five years of age. After the age of 16, it is less likely to damage the eyes.Fatema Bhanpurawala's Determination to Protect Her Children
Fatema Bhanpurawala, a resident of Mazgaon with a 10-year-old boy and newborn twins, acknowledges that peer pressure is a challenge. But she is determined not to let her children fall prey to cell phones. She considers this community initiative a blessing in disguise, as it provides the necessary support and guidance to protect her children's well-being.In conclusion, the Dawoodi Bohra community's efforts in combating child phone addiction are making a significant impact. Through various strategies and collective action, they are working towards ensuring the mental and physical health of their children.READ MORE