How online gaming and social media are fuelling anxiety in school children
At the India Today Education Conclave 2026, experts warned that social media is taking a serious toll on children's learning, mental health, and social skills. How can parents, schools, and policymakers work together to ensure responsible digital use and provide children with meaningful offline experiences?
With social media deeply integrated into children’s daily lives, educators and child development specialists are raising concerns about its impact on learning, behavior, and emotional well-being.
At a recent discussion at the India Today Education Conclave 2026, Annie Koshi, Principal of St Mary’s School, New Delhi, and Amit Sen, Director and Co-founder of Children First, Delhi, outlined the challenges of raising children in a digital-first world and emphasised the need for a collaborative approach involving parents, schools, and society.
HOW SHOULD WE RETHINK LEARNING IN A DIGITAL AGE?
Addressing the integration of technology into education, Annie Koshi said, “Children learn through experiences, not just screens.
Schooling should nurture real-world understanding, not just virtual engagement.” She cautioned against using technology as a substitute for hands-on learning, noting that assignments like creating reels or podcasts often replace critical experiential education.
Amit Sen added, “Social media’s influence is pervasive, but our focus should not be on demonising devices. We must consider how learning itself is evolving. If we fail to provide meaningful offline alternatives, children will naturally gravitate to what is accessible online.”
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN EDUCATION?
Both experts highlighted several drawbacks of integrating social media into learning:
Illusory Benefits: Koshi noted, “While social media offer enhanced communication and access to resources, these advantages are often superficial. Talking to a screen is not the same as talking to a friend. Real interactions cannot be replaced by online engagement.”
Commercial Interests: Sen questioned whether many digital initiatives genuinely serve education. “Sometimes, these platforms benefit commercial interests more than educational ones. Children’s online engagement can even lead to financial exploitation,” he said.
HOW CAN PARENTS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DIGITAL USE?
Koshi emphasised the crucial role parents play in mediating digital exposure. “Parents give children the best schools, the best gadgets, even air-conditioned homes—but are we guiding them to navigate this space safely? Are we teaching restraint and responsibility?”
Sen reinforced this point: “Children are naturally curious and drawn to digital content. It is our responsibility to provide meaningful offline alternatives rather than simply restricting access.”
HOW CAN COLLABORATION HELP DEVELOP HEALTHY DIGITAL HABITS?
Schools should organise outreach programs to help parents understand their role in limiting device access and supporting healthy digital habits.
Age-specific guidelines should be developed for introducing devices and social media, accounting for developmental milestones and neurodiversity.
Reflective meetings with parents can help identify practical offline alternatives, such as mentorship programs and local activities.
Collaborative working groups can coordinate strategies for digital safety and responsible social media use.
HOW DO WE BALANCE VIRTUAL AND REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES?
Koshi highlighted the importance of providing children with tangible, real-world experiences to counterbalance digital engagement. “Children need roots and wings,” she said. “Social media is here to stay, but it must not replace meaningful real-life experiences. Adults must guide them safely and thoughtfully, so they grow into empathetic, responsible individuals.”
Sen concluded, “When children have access to real-world connections, mentorship, and opportunities for reflection, they are better equipped to navigate the challenges of social media responsibly.”
The discussion underscored a clear message: technology alone cannot educate or nurture children. Responsible digital exposure, guided by parents, supported by schools, and framed within meaningful offline experiences, is essential to ensure holistic development and emotional well-being. Without such efforts, experts warn, children risk losing grounding in the real world, along with critical social and emotional skills.
With social media deeply integrated into children’s daily lives, educators and child development specialists are raising concerns about its impact on learning, behavior, and emotional well-being.
At a recent discussion at the India Today Education Conclave 2026, Annie Koshi, Principal of St Mary’s School, New Delhi, and Amit Sen, Director and Co-founder of Children First, Delhi, outlined the challenges of raising children in a digital-first world and emphasised the need for a collaborative approach involving parents, schools, and society.
HOW SHOULD WE RETHINK LEARNING IN A DIGITAL AGE?
Addressing the integration of technology into education, Annie Koshi said, “Children learn through experiences, not just screens.
Schooling should nurture real-world understanding, not just virtual engagement.” She cautioned against using technology as a substitute for hands-on learning, noting that assignments like creating reels or podcasts often replace critical experiential education.
Amit Sen added, “Social media’s influence is pervasive, but our focus should not be on demonising devices. We must consider how learning itself is evolving. If we fail to provide meaningful offline alternatives, children will naturally gravitate to what is accessible online.”
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN EDUCATION?
Both experts highlighted several drawbacks of integrating social media into learning:
Illusory Benefits: Koshi noted, “While social media offer enhanced communication and access to resources, these advantages are often superficial. Talking to a screen is not the same as talking to a friend. Real interactions cannot be replaced by online engagement.”
Commercial Interests: Sen questioned whether many digital initiatives genuinely serve education. “Sometimes, these platforms benefit commercial interests more than educational ones. Children’s online engagement can even lead to financial exploitation,” he said.
HOW CAN PARENTS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DIGITAL USE?
Koshi emphasised the crucial role parents play in mediating digital exposure. “Parents give children the best schools, the best gadgets, even air-conditioned homes—but are we guiding them to navigate this space safely? Are we teaching restraint and responsibility?”
Sen reinforced this point: “Children are naturally curious and drawn to digital content. It is our responsibility to provide meaningful offline alternatives rather than simply restricting access.”
HOW CAN COLLABORATION HELP DEVELOP HEALTHY DIGITAL HABITS?
Schools should organise outreach programs to help parents understand their role in limiting device access and supporting healthy digital habits.
Age-specific guidelines should be developed for introducing devices and social media, accounting for developmental milestones and neurodiversity.
Reflective meetings with parents can help identify practical offline alternatives, such as mentorship programs and local activities.
Collaborative working groups can coordinate strategies for digital safety and responsible social media use.
HOW DO WE BALANCE VIRTUAL AND REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES?
Koshi highlighted the importance of providing children with tangible, real-world experiences to counterbalance digital engagement. “Children need roots and wings,” she said. “Social media is here to stay, but it must not replace meaningful real-life experiences. Adults must guide them safely and thoughtfully, so they grow into empathetic, responsible individuals.”
Sen concluded, “When children have access to real-world connections, mentorship, and opportunities for reflection, they are better equipped to navigate the challenges of social media responsibly.”
The discussion underscored a clear message: technology alone cannot educate or nurture children. Responsible digital exposure, guided by parents, supported by schools, and framed within meaningful offline experiences, is essential to ensure holistic development and emotional well-being. Without such efforts, experts warn, children risk losing grounding in the real world, along with critical social and emotional skills.