Bengaluru Campus Hosts Pioneering Session on Digital Habits and Mental Well-being
A compelling blend of self-reflection, expert guidance, and lighthearted humor characterized an impactful workshop on digital habits for students at MS Ramaiah Institute of Management (MSRIM) in Bengaluru. This event marked the inaugural on-campus gathering of The Times of India's national Let's D-Stress campaign, held on Tuesday, aiming to address the growing concerns around digital overuse.
Interactive Mapping Reveals Alarming Screen Time Patterns
Prior to the session, students engaged in an interactive exercise, mapping their daily screen time on a board using sticky notes. The results were eye-opening, with a majority categorizing themselves as 'deep explorers' (4–8 hours) or 'digital natives' (8+ hours). Notably, one student confessed to a staggering 16 hours of screen time each day. Despite these high numbers, most participants perceived their usage as reasonable, highlighting a disconnect between behavior and awareness.
Expert Insights on the Brain's Response to Digital Overload
Dr Eesha Sharma, an associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at Nimhans, addressed this perception gap. She explained that what feels justified may not align with health. "The brain is constantly reacting or responding to stimuli. Every notification and scroll keeps us in a loop of engagement, but true thinking requires pauses. When we're always reacting via phones, we rarely allow space for deep thought," she emphasized. Dr Sharma encouraged embracing moments of boredom, as these enable the brain to enter its 'default mode,' crucial for processing experiences and consolidating memories.
Surprising Revelations and Candid Discussions
Hosted by RJ and content creator Shaayan Bhattacharya, the session fostered a non-judgmental environment for reflection. His witty interactions led to candid disclosures, including a surprising trend: many students identified ChatGPT, rather than social media, as a primary distraction. This insight underscores evolving digital behaviors among youth.
The interactive format allowed students to pose questions on digital behavior and mental health, exploring concepts like meta-thinking. The Let's D-Stress campaign, in collaboration with partners such as the Centre of Excellence in Neurodegeneration and Brain Health (CENABH), IIT Delhi, and Nimhans, seeks to ignite nationwide dialogue on managing digital stress.
Voices from the Session: Reflections and Recommendations
Savitha Rani, professor and dean (in charge) at MSRIM, highlighted the session's core message: "It helped students reconnect with themselves through real-world interactions, not digital media. To de-stress, disconnecting from digital noise and reconnecting with people and environments is vital."
Dr Eesha Sharma advocated for regular interventions: "I wish we had sessions like this more often. Clinicians often see issues after escalation, missing early opportunities. Universal prevention strategies, introduced early, are more effective than targeted approaches."
Divyamsika P, a PGDM student, found the session enlightening: "We rarely discuss these issues openly. Hearing Dr Eesha talk about daily challenges made me reflect on my habits and realize they're manageable with the right approach."
Aditya Dam, another PGDM student, valued the psychiatric perspective: "Having a psychiatrist there was engaging. Her insights on real-world issues helped de-stress me and answered many questions."
This event underscores the urgent need for proactive measures in educational settings to combat digital addiction and promote mental wellness among students.
