Waseem Akhter Dar
In an age dominated by smartphones, tablets and digital distractions, the humble library and the simple habit of reading books are slowly being pushed to the margins of students’ lives. Once considered the heart of learning and imagination, libraries today stand quieter, while mobile screens glow relentlessly in the hands of children and adolescents. This silent shift has far-reaching consequences for education, health and the very idea of childhood.
A library is not merely a building filled with books; it is a sanctuary of knowledge, discipline and curiosity. It teaches students patience, concentration and respect for learning. Reading a physical book demands focus, turning pages, underlining ideas, revisiting paragraphs, and in doing so, it strengthens memory, language skills and critical thinking. Unlike scrolling on a mobile phone, reading a book is a deep, immersive experience. The taste, satisfaction and emotional connection one develops with a printed book can never be replicated on a mobile screen.
Unfortunately, today’s students spend a substantial part of their day glued to screens. Several hours that could have been devoted to reading, outdoor play or meaningful interaction are wasted on social media, short videos, games and endless scrolling. This excessive screen time not only eats into academic hours but also weakens attention span. Students accustomed to fast-moving digital content often find it difficult to sit with a book for even a few minutes, resulting in declining reading habits and superficial learning.
The disadvantages of excessive screen time are well-documented. Prolonged mobile use leads to eye strain, headaches, disturbed sleep patterns and poor posture. More alarming are its psychological effects, irritability, reduced social skills, addiction-like behaviour and emotional isolation. Mobile screens, placed just a few inches away from children’s eyes, are far more hazardous than televisions, which are viewed from a safer distance. Ironically, many parents today advise children to watch television instead of using mobiles, simply because television screens are less harmful than handheld devices.
The role of parents, particularly mothers, is crucial in this changing scenario. In earlier times, mothers would stop children from playing too long outside and strictly regulate television viewing to protect their eyes and studies. Today, however, many parents hand over mobile phones or tablets to young children as a convenient way to keep them quiet and occupied. Instead of storybooks, colouring books or picture books, toddlers are introduced to screens at an age when imagination should be nurtured through reading and play.
As a result, children are losing their childhood to mobiles. They hardly go outside to play, run, fall, argue, laugh and learn social skills. Parks, playgrounds and streets that once echoed with children’s voices now appear empty, while homes are filled with silent children staring into screens. This shift has not only affected physical health but has also robbed children of creativity, curiosity and the joy of simple living.
Developing a strong reading habit among students is therefore an urgent necessity. Schools must revive libraries as active learning spaces, encourage regular library periods and motivate students to read beyond textbooks. Parents must lead by example, reading at home, limiting screen time and gifting books instead of gadgets. Most importantly, young children should be introduced to books early so that reading becomes a pleasure rather than a burden.
A book opens doors to imagination, wisdom and self-reflection, while excessive mobile use often leads to distraction and dependency. The future of our children depends not on how fast they can scroll, but on how deeply they can think, understand and empathise. It is time to put books back into students’ hands, restore the culture of libraries and ensure that screens remain tools, not masters of young minds.
The writer is a librarian at the Department of School Education
wa**************@***il.com