Hyderabad: Digital addiction is not just about being hooked to screen, but a gradual loss of control over attention, where minutes slip into hours without awareness, said Dr Jawaharlal Nehru, psychologist at Tele Manas, at ‘The Times of India’s Let’s D-Stress: Campus Conversations’ held at Kaveri University on Friday.“We open apps such as Instagram without purpose, keep scrolling, and by the end of it, we gain nothing except mental fatigue,” he said. Addressing students immersed in tech-driven learning environments, the session unpacked the deeper patterns behind excessive screen use. Alongside RJ Nani who moderated the discussion, Dr Nehru highlighted how digital behaviour today is often driven by the ‘Fear of Missing Out’ (FOMO), where individuals feel compelled to stay constantly connected despite limited real benefit.“Your mind is not tired because of work; it is tired because it never gets rest. You keep feeding it random content — videos, alerts, distractions — and it never settles,” he explained, pointing to the cognitive overload caused by continuous scrolling.The session also emphasised that the issue stems more from mental boredom than physical exhaustion. “When individuals lose interest or direction, the mind instinctively seeks distraction, leading to constant app-switching and reduced focus. Over time, even small habits, checking the phone repeatedly for a few minutes, accumulate into significant loss of productivity,” he added.He shared that the real threat is not the digital world itself, but what individuals allow into their minds. He encouraged students to build awareness around their screen habits, prioritise meaningful engagement, and treat technology as a tool rather than a distraction. He reinforced that discipline and clarity are essential for sustained focus and personal growth.Welcoming the initiative, Harsha Polsani, director of student welfare, Kaveri University, said, “We see students constantly balancing academic demands with digital exposure. Building a mindful relationship with technology is no longer optional; it is essential for maintaining both focus and creativity.” “Initiatives like this help students pause and reflect on their habits. The goal is not to avoid technology, but to use it with intention, so that it supports learning rather than distracts from it,” he added.
