Digital Intervention Research in Kashmir: How Smartphones Are Ending Family Relationships?

A comprehensive field study conducted by students of the Public Administration Department at Amar Singh College in various schools in Kashmir's Pulwama district revealed the profound effects of digital technology on local households. Guided by Dr. Zubair Nazeer Malik and titled “Technology Intervention Angle in Kashmir Households,” this study specifically scrutinized the role of smartphone usage on family bonds, emotional well-being, and adolescent behaviors. Researchers conducted structured interviews and interactive discussions with students in grades 8, 9, and 10 between the ages of 13 and 15, creating a comfortable environment for students to share their experiences and concerns openly. While the initial expectation was to determine the general effects of digital technology, the findings painted a quite concerning picture regarding domestic disconnect, tension, and anxiety.

One of the most striking results of the study was that 91.3% of participants reported regularly using mobile phones, but the main issue stood out as the emotional consequences brought about by technology use. 21.4% of students confessed that they were physically punished by their fathers for using the phone for long periods, despite completing their academic and household responsibilities. This situation was evaluated not merely as a concern regarding screen time, but also as a sign of communication disorders within the family and increasing restlessness. Furthermore, 38.7% of students stated that they frequently argued with their siblings over phone usage because they did not possess personal devices, highlighting daily conflicts caused by technological access.

The research also detailed the emotional pressure created by social media. A female student shared that she suffered from severe anxiety and overthinking due to the pressure to maintain Snapchat friendships, while more than 42% of students expressed that they hid their true views online for fear of cyberbullying. The need for digital validation was observed to negatively affect the psychological health of young people. Emotional expressions from female students laid bare familial indifference in a painful way; 17.3% of female students stated that their fathers rarely communicated with them because they were busy with their smartphones after returning from work. One student's expression of feeling less important in her father's life than a phone clearly demonstrated the psychological depth of the situation.

The fact that 47.9% of father participants were constantly busy with their phones at home shaped the reflection of parental attitudes on children. Students expressed that they were emotionally exhausted and distanced themselves from family events due to their fathers' lack of interest in family dinners or academic guidance. A student recounted that her father's long preoccupation with his phone in the evenings led to crises of doubt in the family, shaking trust and reaching a stage of approaching divorce. Additionally, it was emphasized that online gaming addiction could lead to financial risks; it was determined that one student secretly used his parents' credit card to buy in-game items and continued this behavior despite feeling guilty.

Researchers concluded that digital addiction threatens not only cyber risks but also the foundation of family structure and communication. Although a large majority of students were aware of the harms of extra screen time, they questioned whether adults exhibit the same behaviors and whether children are wrongly accused. Parental behavior was observed to have a direct impact on children's digital habits. The study results recommended that parents should consciously reduce phone usage, prioritize quality family time, and establish open communication with children. It was emphasized that rebuilding emotional bonds within the family is essential to protect children from online threats and ensure their healthy psychological development.