Man is a social being and thrives in the company of others.
Yet, in recent times, with the advent of information technology, personal media
devices, and the abundance of easily accessible resources, the structure of
family life has quietly shifted. In many households today, each individual owns
a separate device, often retreating into a private digital space.
Earlier—especially in the Indian context—the family functioned as a single
unit. Even everyday activities such as watching television were shared experiences.
With only one television at home, family members negotiated, discussed, and
arrived at a consensus on what to watch, learning—often unconsciously—to
accommodate one another. Today, this shared negotiation is rarely required. If
one sibling controls the television, the other simply turns to another device.
This ease reflects a broader culture of instant gratification, where children
frequently get their way without having to wait or adjust.
In such an environment, a child may not always pause to
notice the emotions arising within them. When families functioned more as a
team, everyday interactions created natural moments for emotional reflection. A
child might think, “I am angry because my sister is watching the show she
wanted two days in a row,” or “I feel happy because my mother allowed me
to watch my favourite programme a little longer,” or even “I feel hurt
because my friend played this game without me.” These ordinary experiences
quietly helped children recognise and name their emotions. However, as shared
spaces and experiences reduce, opportunities for labelling emotions—the
first step towards self-awareness—also become fewer. When a child is unable to
recognise emotions within themselves, it becomes difficult to recognise and
respond to the emotions of others. This ability to understand another person’s
emotional state and respond with sensitivity is what we call empathy,
and it forms the foundation for effective communication and for living in
harmony with others.
If emotional intelligence is not consciously nurtured today,
we risk raising a generation that is highly connected digitally but emotionally
disconnected in real life. Children may grow up efficient, informed, and
capable—yet unsure of how to sit with discomfort, understand another person’s
pain, or respond thoughtfully in moments of conflict. When emotions remain
unnamed, they often surface as impatience, withdrawal, aggression, or
indifference. Relationships then become transactional rather than empathetic.
In a world that increasingly demands collaboration, communication, and
emotional resilience, these are not small losses. Emotional intelligence is no
longer an optional life skill; it is essential for inner stability, meaningful
relationships, and a harmonious society.
So, the next time your child reaches for a device simply
because a shared family activity does not interest them, it may be worth
pausing to consider how we can gently nudge the child to stay present—creating
small but meaningful opportunities for emotional awareness, empathy, and
connection.
