How online gaming and social media are fuelling anxiety in school children

At the India Today Education Conclave 2026, experts warned that social media is taking a serious toll on children's learning, mental health, and social skills. How can parents, schools, and policymakers work together to ensure responsible digital use and provide children with meaningful offline experiences?

With social media deeply integrated into children’s daily lives, educators and child development specialists are raising concerns about its impact on learning, behavior, and emotional well-being.

At a recent discussion at the India Today Education Conclave 2026, Annie Koshi, Principal of St Mary’s School, New Delhi, and Amit Sen, Director and Co-founder of Children First, Delhi, outlined the challenges of raising children in a digital-first world and emphasised the need for a collaborative approach involving parents, schools, and society.

Addressing the integration of technology into education, Annie Koshi said, “Children learn through experiences, not just screens.

Schooling should nurture real-world understanding, not just virtual engagement.” She cautioned against using technology as a substitute for hands-on learning, noting that assignments like creating reels or podcasts often replace critical experiential education.

Amit Sen added, “Social media’s influence is pervasive, but our focus should not be on demonising devices. We must consider how learning itself is evolving. If we fail to provide meaningful offline alternatives, children will naturally gravitate to what is accessible online.”

Both experts highlighted several drawbacks of integrating social media into learning: