The Silent Epidemic: Is Your Smartphone a Tool or a Trap?

“What began as a tool for connection is quietly turning into a public – health challenge across India and a silent epidemic in J&K.”

By Mohammad AyazRaina
ashaqraza@gmail.com

Lecturer, National ICT Awardee & JK UT Best Teacher Awardee
Smartphones and social media have become the heartbeat of modern life. They wake us up, keep us entertained, connect us to friends, and even guide us through emergencies. Social media, too, has turned into a virtual home where people spend hours every day. But behind the shiny screens lies another reality – one of sleepless nights, anxiety, poor focus, and broken human connections. What began as a tool of empowerment is now quietly shaping into a new epidemic: digital addiction.
Doctors, educators and psychologists warn that excessive mobile use shows symptoms similar to gambling or substance addiction – craving, withdrawal, and loss of control. The signs are everywhere: people checking their phones every few minutes, children refusing to sleep without a gadget nearby, families sitting together but talking less. In Jammu & Kashmir, studies already show a worrying pattern among students and young professionals. Many feel restless when away from their phones, and a large number admit to spending more time online than on studies or outdoor activities.
Globally, more than 5.4 billion people – two out of every three humans, use social media. Each spends more than two hours daily scrolling through feeds. In India, the scale is even greater. Over 491 million Indians are active social media users, and the number is expected to touch 900 million by the end of 2025. Research shows that Indians spend 7.3 hours every day on their phones – more than both Americans and Chinese. Among children aged 10 – 14, smartphone use has already reached 83%, much higher than the global average. A study in Jammu revealed that nearly 79% of college students show signs of internet addiction. Across the country, one-third of teenagers are hooked on their phones, with visible impacts on health, studies, and relationships.
Addiction does not spare even the global icons. Bollywood actor Aamir Khan admitted in 2021 that he was addicted to his phone, checking it every 15 minutes. The habit disturbed his peace of mind so much that he quit using a smartphone and deleted his social media accounts. His choice, once surprising, now seems like a wise step many others wish they could take.
One of the most disturbing effects of digital addiction is the shrinking human attention span. Once, people could focus through long movie scenes of 45 minutes. Television reduced it to 26 minutes. YouTube brought it down to 5 minutes. Today, Instagram Reels and TikTok keep attention for less than a minute. Experts warn it may soon fall to just 10 seconds. This is reflected in daily life – students unable to focus on studies, families distracted during meals, and drivers glued to screens even on the road.
In Kashmir, the challenge is even more severe. Surveys show that over 60% of children aged 5 – 16 are digitally dependent. Many panic when their phone battery drops. Online games like Clash of Clans,, Free Fire, PUBG and Call of Duty are household names even among primary school kids, fuelling aggression and detachment from real life. Homes glow with the blue light of screens, while parks &playgrounds lie empty. Parents, themselves busy scrolling, often hand gadgets to toddlers to make them eat or sleep. This goes against the World Health Organization’s advice: zero screen time for children under two, and just one hour daily for those aged two to five. Famous J&K Doctors like Dr.SushilRazdan and Dr. Kaiser warn that early screen dependency is damaging brain development, creativity, and emotional strength. Headaches, poor posture, and eye strain are now common among schoolchildren.
The biggest damage is to relationships. Real friendships are being replaced by “followers” and “likes.” Family conversations are giving way to endless scrolling. Children are increasingly exposed to violent games, fake online identities, and harmful content. Mental health experts now speak of a new condition called “Screen Dependency Disorder.”
The answer is not to reject technology, but to use it with balance. Families can create small rules: no phones during meals, no devices at bedtime, and limited screen time during family gatherings. Parents must set the example. Teachers can promote phone-free classrooms, encourage outdoor activities, and guide students on safe internet use. Young people can set app timers, switch off unnecessary notifications, and spend more time on hobbies like reading, music, or sports. Policymakers can enforce child-safe platforms, introduce age checks for apps, and develop more parks, libraries, and community clubs. Schools, especially in Jammu & Kashmir, can include screen-time checks in health programs and encourage device-free study hours during exams.
Smartphones and social media are not going away – and nor should they. They are powerful tools for learning, creativity, and connection. But if we don’t act wisely, they may control us instead of empowering us. If India hopes to become a developed nation by 2047, it needs a generation that is strong, focused, and socially connected. The challenge before us is clear: reclaim balance, protect childhood, and rebuild human connection.
If ignored, this silent epidemic could reshape not just individual lives but the social fabric itself. But if addressed wisely through awareness, discipline and healthier habits – technology can remain a tool, not a trap. The choice, ultimately, is ours.

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