It’s important to guide children’s use of digital devices, not just limit it

How do you explain the increasing pressure on children, especially exposure to digital devices? ■ I see this not as a problem but as a social challenge. As aspirations increase, so does competition and pressure. Digital devices add another dimension, but the roots remain the same. This is not just a governance issue. We need to simplify the core issues and prepare children for life, not just exams. At the same time, excessive screen exposure, constant comparisons on social media and information overload are fueling anxiety. Children are no longer just learning, they are constantly being evaluated by peers, platforms, and perceptions. This makes it important to guide use rather than simply restrict it. What role do society and sport play in tackling mental health issues? ■ Policy is only one part. Impact comes from social awareness and behavioral change. Everyone has a role to play, including the media. The Times of India’s campaign on stress reduction and mental health is important in developing understanding. Parents must realize that success is not defined by tutoring or narrow testing. We must also build a culture that balances digital use with physical activity, conversation and rest. This is a social issue about aspirations and perceptions, not just a performance issue. What policy measures are being taken to reduce stress and make learning more meaningful? ■ NEP addresses basic issues. We have introduced new curricula, syllabuses, textbooks and pedagogies, adding more sports, arts and skills development. Free days and comprehensive sports and skills classes are designed to ease the academic load. The goal is to move from credentials to competencies. Students should not feel limited to JEE or NEET. A 360-degree approach builds confidence and helps reduce stress, while also providing students with space away from constant digital pressure. What are the top ways to reduce student stress in the classroom? ■ Mother tongue. It directly affects understanding and confidence. Children often feel lost when the language in the classroom is different from the language used at home. Mother tongue-based education up to class five and preferably class eight bridges this gap. It improves understanding and significantly reduces stress, making learning more natural and less intimidating. How should India balance digital expansion, artificial intelligence and student well-being? ■ Digital expansion and artificial intelligence must be approached with awareness and balance. See, as society goes digital, internet penetration in India is already deep and smartphones are widely available. We are talking about centers of excellence in education and artificial intelligence. At this time, I observed how other countries dealt with it – how to “contain” digital education? If you have any suggestions for digital education on social media, please let me know. We are publishing recommendations that focus on data privacy and building “AI for Education” and “AI for Education” systems. Using AI as a tool is one thing – just like understanding the phone. But exchanging information over the phone is another aspect. We want to be personally involved in both. In India, the understanding of this is multidimensional. It brings both opportunities and challenges. To access knowledge, you need an internet connection through accessibility tools. If you want to perform big data analysis, understand patterns, or gain insights, you need artificial intelligence. Everything requires it. In a knowledge ecosystem, there are horizontal connections across all verticals – this is artificial intelligence. But safeguards come from awareness. Just as fire can burn, technology must be understood responsibly. Children should be taught how to use technology rather than being left alone to use it. Every technological change creates dilemmas between old and new systems, and the answer lies in informed transformation through scientific understanding and collective responsibility.