Aligarh: The Department of Psychology at Aligarh Muslim University organized a two-day workshop and training program on Mobile Addiction.

The event aims to raise awareness about the growing issue of mobile phone dependence among students, offering both educational insights and practical tools to address the challenge.

Prof Mohd Gulrez, former Vice Chancellor of AMU, graced the event as the chief guest. In his address, he stressed the importance of education and the need for students to cultivate hobbies that promote personal growth.

He highlighted the critical impact of social media content on students and underscored the importance of open discussions as opposed to excessive phone usage. "Achieving balance in life and setting meaningful goals is key to realizing one's true potential," he stated, urging students to look beyond their screens.

Prof Shah Alam, Chairman of the Department of Psychology, presented a statistical overview of social media usage among young adults in India, noting that nearly 400 million people worldwide are active mobile phone users.

He discussed the detrimental effects of mobile addiction on social interactions and physical relationships, and introduced the concept of ‘Nomophobia’ – the fear of being without a mobile phone. Prof Alam also highlighted the prevalence of cyberbullying and online scams, emphasizing the serious threats they pose to mental and emotional well-being.

Kanchan Gaur, the founder of the Samrasa Foundation and a collaborator for the event, shared her perspective on the mental health challenges faced by young adults in the digital age.

She addressed the stigma surrounding mental health support and the increasing toll that excessive screen time is having on students. Drawing from real-life cases, she illustrated the profound impact of mobile addiction on mental well-being.

Kanchan encouraged students to adopt a goal-oriented approach to reduce screen time and highlighted the role of peer pressure in driving phone addiction. She also engaged the audience in an interactive Q&A session, fostering meaningful conversations on the subject.

The workshop also featured a session on guidance imagery meditation, aimed at relieving the stress of daily life. The second part of the program focused on self-analysis activities to educate students on mental health, offering them tools to better understand and manage their emotional well-being.

The day concluded with a vote of thanks, delivered by Society Secretary Adeena Suhail, recognizing the contributions of the esteemed guests, coordinators, and active student participants.

This workshop marks the first day of a two-day effort to raise awareness about mobile addiction and its impact on mental health, offering students crucial insights and strategies for better managing their screen time.