Mumbai kids prefer gadgets over friends, finds survey

About 55% children between the ages five and seven preferred spending time with electronic gadgets such as tablets rather than playing with friends or reading, found a recent study.

About 55% children between the ages five and seven preferred spending time with electronic gadgets such as tablets rather than playing with friends or reading, found a recent study.

The findings of the survey, by Podar Institute of Education which tested the social habits of around 900 children from nine city schools through interviews, have raised concerns over the impact of technology on children.

Experts in child behaviour said the findings highlight the trend of alienation and lack of social skills among children.

“Most working parents give children a smart phone or a tablet to keep them occupied instead of taking them outdoors,” said Dr Sagar Mundana, psychiatrist, Sir JJ Hospital, Byculla. “As a result, their minds are conditioned in a way that they prefer spending time with gadgets over meeting people.”

An alarming 63% of the children surveyed did not want to share anything.

However, 65% children did not want to share their toys but didn’t mind sharing their parents’ attention and 73% preferred sharing with friends over siblings.

“Usually, from four years of age, children are supposed to start sharing, as they start attending school,” said Swati Popat Vats, president of the institute, which conducted the survey. The survey is a part of her new book, ‘Look Who’s Talking’.

Vats said toys are to be blamed for the insensitivity of the children towards animals.