Your Parents Are Addicted to Phones—Here’s How to Save Them!

Amanpreet Singh | Mar 14, 2025, 12:18 IST

Remember when we fought over who would use the landline? Or the excitement of sending an SMS on a Nokia phone? Back then, technology was special. Now, it’s everywhere. And guess what? Our parents, who once struggled with sending a text, are now hooked on WhatsApp and YouTube! They love forwarding “Good Morning” messages and watching endless reels. But they didn’t grow up with this, and sometimes it becomes too much. That’s where we can help.

Why It’s a Problem

Unlike us, our parents didn’t grow up with smartphones and social media. So, they easily fall into:

Parents easily fall into Smartphone Trap

Endless Scrolling: Watching “Top 10 Kitchen Hacks” or cute animal videos for hours.
Fake News Traps: Believing and sharing wrong information like “Onion cures COVID.”
Too Much Screen Time: Constant notifications and videos can make them impatient or restless.

It’s not really their fault—technology is exciting for them. But we can help them use it in a better way.

4 Simple Hacks to Help Your Parents

1. Become Their Tech Helper

Become Their Tech Helper

Teach them how to spot fake news. If they see messages with lots of exclamation marks or “Forward to 10 people,” tell them to stop and think! Show them how to keep their privacy safe, like not sharing personal photos with strangers. And warn them about scams offering free prizes. A simple demo works better than a long talk.

2. Encourage Time Away from the Screen

Suggest limits: “Mummy, let’s only use phones for 1 hour!” Instead of scrolling, ask them to watch a documentary together or try a new recipe from YouTube. You can also remind them about hobbies they loved—“Papa, how about gardening instead of watching the same video again?”

3. Lead by Example

Put your phone down first

If you’re always on your phone but telling them to stop, they won’t listen! Put your phone down first. Talk to them, enjoy chai together, or go for a walk. When they see you offline, they’ll be more likely to do the same.

4. Help Them Create, Not Just Watch

Why only watch videos? Help them make something! Maybe your mom can share her famous samosa recipe on a blog. Or your dad can record stories from his childhood on YouTube. Even fun videos like “How to Bargain at Sarojini Market” will keep them busy and happy. Creating is always better than endless scrolling.

Why This Is Important (Especially in India)

In Indian homes, phones are like another family member. Our parents use them to stay connected with family, watch temple live streams, and send festival wishes. But too much screen time can be unhealthy. If we guide them, they can enjoy tech without getting trapped by it.

Final Thought

Our parents are exploring the digital world—it’s exciting, but also confusing. These small tips aren’t about taking their phones away, but about helping them use tech wisely. Next time you see your dad stuck watching “Top 10 Lassi Recipes,” try these hacks. Who knows, he might thank you with an extra roti at dinner!

Got your own tips? Share them in the comments!

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