Manipur Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan on Saturday expressed concern over mobile phone addiction among the masses and stressed on proper use of mobile phones. He said that people have become “prisoners” of their mobile phones.
Ranjan was speaking at the inaugural function of the 23rd MANIPSYCON, which was held on Saturday at the Jubilee Hall, RIMS, Imphal. The annual conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Manipur Branch was held with the theme “Digital Addiction: An Emerging Pandemic”.
Dr Ranjan said there has been a significant paradigm shift in how our social life has changed, with the introduction of the internet and a giant leap in the development of digital technologies.
He said the extensive use and the requirement of social media and the Internet in contemporary times have created a negative impact and have paved the way to becoming a pandemic, a technological pandemic with 70-80 per cent of the population being affected.
“People of different ages are now addicted to their phones; checking their phones every second and also making them anxious every time the internet shuts down,” he said.
The advancement of social media has helped the people to explore new and innovative ideas and information, he said.
“We can access any sort of information and knowledge through mobile. But our physical activities should not be left behind. Parents should check their children while using mobile phones,” he added.
Regarding COVID-19, the minister said there has been a new COVID variant found in some countries according to reports from the ministry.
Saying that the state is prepared for taking up preventive measures, he urged the public not to panic.
Also, pointing out that people have now started to realise the importance of psychiatrists, he said that the number of psychiatrists is not enough for the population of the state.
Almost 80 per cent of mentally ill patients are not reported or diagnosed due to the stigma and discrimination people have for visiting a psychiatrist. This stigma should be changed, said L Ranjit Singh, director of RIMS.
President, Indian Medical Society, Manipur branch, S Manikanta said that digital addiction includes internet, computer and mobile phones. Digital addiction may cause depression, anxiety, aggressiveness, insomnia and other disorders. “To fight this, we need to maintain a healthy living,” he said.
As a part of the function, Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to N Heramani Singh, S Manikanta Singh and Th Bihari Singh for their contribution to the field of psychiatry.
