Since Bhutan’s first internet connection in 1999, the digital landscape has evolved at a breathtaking pace. Today, it’s hard to imagine life without the internet —whether it’s figuring out how to boil an egg or researching complex scientific theories. The internet has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate, creating a digital superhighway that has connected the world like never before.
During the PEMA Symposium held on October 6, 2025, in Thimphu, Dr. Pem Namgyal, President of Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, reflected on this rapid digital revolution. He highlighted the profound advantages of the digital era: online banking, seamless travel bookings, virtual meetings, and instant access to educational resources. Social media platforms such as Meta, LinkedIn, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram have made social networking more vibrant and accessible, fostering a sense of community and learning at our fingertips.
However, Dr. Namgyal raised a critical concern—“the dark side of digital excess.” He underlined that though technology offers immense benefits; its overuse is creating a silent crisis among children and adolescents. The very tools designed to connect people are also contributing to social disconnection, reduced attention spans, and impaired cognitive and social skills.
The Impact of Digital Overexposure on Young Minds- Social Dissociation and Cognitive Decline
Apart from other effects, Dr. Namgyal said that excessive screen time can lead to shorter attention spans, hampering learning, problem-solving, and meaningful conversations. Children may develop poor social and communication skills, become impulsive, and struggle with spatial awareness, which is crucial for physical coordination and understanding of their environment.
Academic and Physical Health Consequences
Further, overreliance on digital devices often coincides with a decline in reading habits and cognitive engagement, resulting in poor academic performance and memory issues. It can also cause sleep deprivation, fatigue, and reduce opportunities for outdoor activities and sports, impacting physical health.
Psychological Well-being and Self-Esteem
He also noted that the curated nature of social media fosters constant comparison, leading to feelings of inadequacy, lowered self-esteem, and negative self-worth. Digital platforms can also expose children to cyberbullying, harmful content, grooming, addiction, and even online crimes, which pose serious mental and physical health risks.
The Paradox of Connectivity and Loneliness
Speaking further, he underscored that despite being perpetually connected, many children report feeling lonely and disconnected from real-world relationships. “The curated online personas create a false sense of intimacy, masking underlying feelings of isolation.”
What Can Policymakers Do?
To address these challenges, Dr. Namgyal suggested that policymakers consider a multi-faceted approach like strengthening protections for children on social media platforms and developing age-appropriate safety standards and data privacy regulations. Enforcing minimum age requirements and limiting access to harmful content and promoting transparency from tech companies regarding health impacts are other approaches to address the challenges.
There are also measures to incorporate digital literacy into school curricula and supporting research on the benefits and harms of digital media and collaborating with international partners to safeguard children online can be also strategies to reduce the digital excess.
The Role of Parents and Caregivers
Parents and caregiver also have important roles to play. Parents are on the frontline of this digital dilemma. Practical steps include creating family media plans with clear boundaries and establishing tech-free zones and encouraging outdoor play and face-to-face interactions.
Modeling responsible digital behavior, educating children about responsible online participation, and reporting and addressing cyberbullying and online abuse are some other roles.
Empowering Children and Adolescents
Children and teens must also take responsibility for their digital habits like seeking help if they experience negative effects and setting personal boundaries for online activities. Practicing safe online sharing and privacy management and recognizing and avoiding cyberbullying and harassment are good practices while media literacy skills to discern fact from fiction should be developed.
A Collective Responsibility with Hope for the Future
Concerning the question, “Are we losing our children to digital excess?” Dr Pema Namgyal said that the answer is a definitive “YES.” However, he noted that amidst these challenges lies hope. It’s a collective effort—parents, educators, policymakers, and the children themselves—to establish healthy boundaries, promote outdoor activities, and foster genuine face-to-face relationships.
“By setting clear limits on social media use, encouraging reading and outdoor play, and maintaining open dialogues about digital safety, we can guide our children toward a balanced, healthy relationship with technology. Ultimately, safeguarding their mental well-being and nurturing their potential is our shared responsibility—our collective future depends on it.”
Sangay Rabten,
From Thimphu
