Digital Detox: Karnataka Village Replaces Screen Time With Study Time

BELAGAVI- In a bold grassroots initiative, residents of Halaga village in Belagavi taluk of Karnataka have launched a daily Digital Off experiment to keep children away from excessive screen time. The move serves as an antidote to digital distractions, helping students remain focused during their study hours.

Inspired by a similar movement in Maharashtra, the campaign is targeted at breaking the growing addiction to mobile phones and television across all age groups. At 7 PM every evening, a siren from the Gram Panchayat office announces the start of a two-hour blackout of all digital devices. The villagers voluntarily turn off their TVs and mobile phones until 9 PM, shifting that time toward education and household involvement.

The move is particularly timely for students who are currently preparing for their SSLC exams. Parents have been encouraged to ensure that their children are not distracted during this window and remain dedicated to their books. The women of the village have also embraced the shift, moving away from the television serials they were regularly exposed to before.

A former Gram Panchayat President reiterated the educational purpose behind this experiment. “This is one of the steps that has been taken for the education of children. We want to create a disciplined environment for them,” he said. He added that it is not safe for children to be exposed to too much screen time.

A local resident, Rohit Yallurkar, said that turning off TVs and mobile phones for two hours every day has allowed the children to focus better on their education. The Digital Off campaign has received immense support from the villagers and now serves as a beacon for other communities struggling with the overuse of technology. (IANS)