What is a digital fast? A digital fast is when families consciously cut off screen time for a few hours or days — not just for children, but for parents too.
Doctors at SHUT Clinic have observed that children do not develop excessive device use habits on their own. Instead, they tend to imitate the screen behaviors of the adults around them.
At the SHUT Clinic, families are encouraged to leave their devices behind and spend meaningful time together without any screens. Dr. Manoj Sharma describes this experience as a form of “detoxing from dopamine.”
A 7-year-old boy was brought in for gaming addiction. He showed signs of anxiety, aggression, and withdrawal. Therapy revealed that the parents too were constantly on their devices, even at dinner or before bed.
The parents decided to participate in the digital fast alongside their child. This collective effort led to a significant reduction in the boy’s screen time, not through punishment, but by transforming the family’s home environment.
A teenager from Kashmir, dealing with anxiety, found herself isolated and online all the time. Her mother, a government employee, was often on her phone too.
The turning point? When the daughter said, “You’re always on Instagram when I’m crying,” the mother began to reflect. She joined her daughter in reducing screen time and spending time offline.
Doctors at SHUT Clinic emphasize that children cannot truly disconnect from screens unless their parents lead by example. Dr. Sharma puts it plainly: “You cannot expect a child to fast while the parent is still feasting.”
Digital overuse has become an invisible pandemic, contributing to stress, sleep disorders, and identity struggles, especially among adolescents.
The path to healing starts at home and begins when adults make the first move to unplug. So, are we ready to lead by example and take the first step toward a healthier digital balance for our families?