Gorakhpur: Excessive screen time affects eyesight, thinking ability and mental health, said chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday, cautioning parents against giving smartphones to children. “Parents who hand smartphones to children are not doing the right thing,” he said, urging families to gradually reduce screen time and dedicate one day every week to abstaining from smartphones. Comparing the idea to observing a weekly fast or a day of silence, he said the initiative should begin with parents themselves.Addressing devotees during Guru Purnima celebrations, the Yogi said children spent five to six hours daily on smartphones, leading to stress, depression and reduced cognitive abilities.Yogi also advised families to encourage meaningful discussions at home and ensure children consume positive content.He described the Guru Purnima festival as an occasion to express gratitude towards the guru-shishya (teacher-taught) tradition rooted in the legacy of Maharishi Ved Vyas. He said parents, elders and teachers are gurus in society.The chief minister stressed need to preserve India’s ancient knowledge heritage, including manuscripts, copper plates and historical records. He asserted that India has remained culturally united since ancient times and called upon citizens to contribute towards building a strong and united nation under the vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
