In a display of community spirit and togetherness, the Dawoodi Bohra community in Melbourne organised a picnic to address the rising concern of excessive screen time among children and to strengthen family bonds. The event brought together children, parents and elders for a day filled with fun activities, insightful discussions and practical takeaways.
The day kicked off with a focus on physical well-being. Children participated in sporting activities like cycling and cricket, fostering teamwork and healthy habits. Simultaneously, elders engaged in light mental games designed to boost their emotional and cognitive well-being. This intergenerational approach highlighted the importance of physical and mental fitness across all age groups.
A highlight of the picnic was the group discussion on mobile phone addiction. Families were divided into three groups to explore the issue from various perspectives:
- Children discussed the negative impacts of social media and inappropriate content on mental health and well-being,
- Parents shared concerns about communication challenges without mobile devices and finding alternatives to educational apps,
- Elders offered valuable insights into life without digital distractions and the challenges of the current digital landscape.
The discussion concluded with encouraging reflections from Adnan Mushtaq, a teacher at the weekend community school. He emphasised the importance of recognising the downsides of excessive screen time and embracing activities that promote joyous and quality family time.
Mustafa Poonawala, the event coordinator, presented startling statistics on selfie-related hazards, sparking thoughtful conversations.
Dr. Tahera Adamjee, a general practitioner, added a medical perspective, warning about the physical and mental health implications of prolonged device usage.
She explained, We all know the negative effects of mobile usage on our mental and emotional health, but there is also a significant impact on our physical well-being.
“Prolonged usage can lead to a range of issues, including neck and cervical spine problems, musculoskeletal disorders affecting the shoulders, elbows, and wrists, and eye strain.”
“Loss of muscle strength and balance can also occur due to a sedentary lifestyle. Furthermore, we are witnessing a concerning increase in myopia, particularly among children.”
This global initiative of the Dawoodi Bohra community to protect children from addiction of mobile phones is also aligned with Australia’s recent policy change to ban social media use for children under 16, highlighting community commitment to these goals.
Families in Melbourne, and across Australia, collectively pledged to reduce screen time, especially among teenagers and adults, and focus on increasing the quality of family interactions and outdoor activities.
“The picnic showed me that there’s so much more to life than just staring at screens,”
reflected 8-year-old Sarrah Patel.
“We learned about nature, played games that challenged our minds, and spent quality time together as a family. It was a truly enriching experience.”
The day concluded with a self-assessment exercise, during which children and parents evaluated their screen habits and committed to making meaningful changes. This self-reflection empowered families to take ownership of their digital well-being.
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