Simon came home from school and said to his mother, ‘Mom, I can’t see anything on the board when I’m sitting in class. My teacher has asked me to get my eyes examined.’
His mother said gently, ‘No, my dear, we will visit the doctor tomorrow to have your eyes examined. Begin by cleansing your face and hands, then change into your uniform and savour your meal.’
Simon’s mother went to the kitchen to make a meal. Simon began his journey into the realm of mobile gaming. Simon’s mother served him a delightful meal and softly advised, “Simon, dear, savour your food first, then you can enjoy your games.”
Simon expressed his frustration to his mother, saying, ‘If you don’t let me play games, I won’t eat my food.’
His mother, with a touch of resignation, gently encouraged Simon, ‘Alright, son, it’s time to come and eat your food.’ Simon was distracted from his meal by his phone. Simon enjoyed his meal with a certain abandon, leaving the vegetables and curd untouched in the bowls.
After two hours of Simon gazing at his phone, his mother finally broke the silence, saying, ‘It’s time to concentrate on your schoolwork.’
After hours of gaming on his phone, Simon’s mind and eyes were completely drained. Overcome by exhaustion, he drifted off, and by 6 pm, when Simon finally stirred, his mother softly reminded him again, ‘Simon, it’s time to tackle your schoolwork.’
Simon replied to his mother, ‘Mom, I’ll handle my schoolwork tomorrow. I will be taking a day off from school tomorrow. We should schedule a visit to the doctor for an eye check-up.’ Again, Simon embarked on his adventure in mobile gaming.
The next day, Simon’s parents took him to the doctor, who examined his eyes and noted, ‘Simon’s eyesight is rather poor.” He will need to wear glasses and take his medication. He will also need to oversee his meals and drinks. If he isn’t cautious, his vision may worsen.’
Simon was asked by the doctor, ‘How much time do you spend playing games? Are you mindful of your eating and drinking habits?’
Simon replied to the doctor, ‘I play for four to five hours, and I only study for an hour and a half when I get home.’
The doctor inquired, ‘Son, what activity do you engage in for four to five hours continuously, while your body stays unhealthy?’
Simon joyfully declared, ‘Doctor, my mobile is my favourite toy! I enjoy playing games on it and watching cartoons.’
The doctor turned to Simon and said, ‘Listen, the device you call a toy has taken control of your games and entirely consumed your thoughts. This mobile device is draining all your energy and well-being. It’s important to explore other options. Urge your parents to consider wooden or mechanical toys for your playtime enjoyment. Enjoy time at the playground with your friends and participate in physical activities. Make sure to set your phone aside during meals and concentrate entirely on your food. Use your mobile device only when needed.’
Simon’s mother broke down in tears upon hearing this, and she looked at the doctor and said, ‘Doctor, we had no idea when our child became addicted to the device called a mobile. By the time we became aware of the situation, he had developed an addiction to his mobile device. He has stopped listening to anything we say and now sees his phone as his real companion. Every toy in the house seems to have no significance for him. He prefers the toy called a mobile.’
Simon was deeply impacted by the doctor’s words; he made a serious promise to slowly free himself from the hold of this toy. After that significant day, Simon changed his lifestyle. He started to relish the playground with his friends. Sometimes, he would play with his friends’ toys, while at other times, he would concentrate on his studies. After six months, the doctor examined Simon’s eyes and observed a notable reduction in the power of his glasses, accompanied by a general enhancement in his health. Upon hearing this, both the mother and son experienced a surge of joy, and the doctor recommended that Simon continue with this approach, as it was the healthiest choice. It is important to maintain a distance from mobile phones and screens.
