Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has urged mothers to avoid giving smartphones to young children, warning that excessive screen time can negatively affect their health and mental development.
Speaking at a religious gathering during his visit to Rajasthan, the Chief Minister said that while children may initially cry or become upset if denied smartphones, they eventually calm down. However, constant smartphone usage can harm their eyesight, waste valuable time, weaken thinking ability, and reduce intellectual sharpness.
He also cautioned that the growing dependence on smartphones is contributing to rising cases of stress and depression, particularly among young people. According to him, several mobile games push children in a negative direction and can gradually lead to addiction.
Focus on Books, Yoga and Discipline
Adityanath suggested that instead of spending long hours on smartphones, children should be encouraged to read books, practice yoga, and engage in physical exercise. Such habits, he said, help build discipline and lead to a more meaningful life.
He also advised young people to limit smartphone usage to essential needs and to spend more time with their families. He recommended avoiding phone calls during meals or prayers and returning calls later.
Address at Religious Event in Jalore
On Monday, during the second day of his Rajasthan visit, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister—also known as Gorakshpeethadhishwar—attended a two-day “Mahayagya and Vishal Dharmsabha” held to mark the 375th anniversary of the Shri Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple in Jalore.
Addressing the gathering, he said that excessive smartphone use can gradually lead to depression and may even contribute to rising suicide tendencies among youth over minor issues.
Message to Youth on Failure and Addiction
Adityanath encouraged young people to treat failures as opportunities for learning rather than reasons for despair. He urged them to analyze the causes of setbacks and transform them into success through determination and courage.
He also warned that anti-social elements and drug traffickers are trying to lure youth into addiction and appealed to families and communities to stay vigilant.
“The future of any nation can be judged by its youth. If young people move in the right direction, the country reaches new heights,” he said.
India’s Cultural Strength
Highlighting India’s uniqueness, the Chief Minister noted that although there are more than 200 countries in the world, none can match India’s cultural richness. He credited the nation’s festivals, traditions, sages, scholars, soldiers, farmers, youth, daughters and mothers for shaping its identity.
Sharing a simple example from the temple premises, he referred to monkeys near the temple and said that when one monkey was given a piece of bread, it finished that piece before taking another. Humans, he said, should learn humility and the habit of sharing with those in need instead of hoarding.
