My friends and I were talking about how — like every other parent in the world — we too have been trying our best to get our children to play ‘real’ games instead of online games. In my enthusiasm, I pulled out a pack of “Memory” cards. I remember playing this game for hours, with my sisters and brother when we were kids, and feeling ecstatic every time I would win. My son barely looked at the deck and replied nonchalantly, “Oh, this is the same as ‘Make a Match’”; obviously an online game. Similarly, there were many other completely parallel games available on the iPad or tablet but yet it is not the same thing. There is a difference in playing a real game with real cards, a real dice, board, coins and real people. And children of today do not even know what they are missing out on.

Many schools have introduced the use of tablets. The world is moving towards new technology they say, and the children should be taught how best to use it to their advantage. My son tells me that he has gained so much information from YouTube and other online channels, and all the research he does for his schoolwork is online. How does one stop him?

Am I being too ‘old-school’? Have we progressed so much that we are so deeply connected with technology?

A few days ago, I interviewed Nishaad Sayyed, physiotherapist and clinical manager at kidsFIRST for a segment on The Uma Show. He spoke about how necessary it is to get out there, play and get dirty. “The experience of physical play stimulates the brain and makes connections within it that are essential for motor planning, problem solving, emotional as well as social development.” He added: “Physical play involves contact and communication with peers and other individuals. Skills are used during play. This enhances creativity as children learn to play and come up with different ideas. However, this is not really the case with gadgets. During gadget time, movement is limited as children sit in front of a screen.”

‘Dirt is good’

However, I do see families who seem to have drawn the line between effective use and overuse of technology and I want to hear from those parents — how did they successfully create that balance? As I am a ‘work in progress’ when comes to this subject.

As a family, wouldn’t it be nice to have a cut-off time, say 9pm, when all our devices go off? Wouldn’t it be nice to spend time together, talk to each other, interact with each other, play, run, make noise, make a mess. After all, it is what makes our life real, it is all a part of our real world, and “dirt is good”.

— The Uma Show airs every Sunday at 8pm on Colors and Friday 9pm on MTV India. Follow Uma on social media on @umagd