Screens over the sand and the sunshine—a silent crisis in the tropics

In the dazzling and sunlit landscapes of the tropics, the recollections of our childhood often consist of petrichor, barefoot play in the grass or on the clay ground under the sun, innocent friendships, and the treasured fables and folktales passed over the generations. However, a digital world amidst the ongoing digital media and artificial intelligence revolution has largely quelled these moments, shaping the childhood experiences of generation alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) and beta (born between 2025 and 2039) in uncharted ways [1]. Although the technological and digital media advancements opened doors for improved education and faster communication, the younger generations are often seen glued to detrimental content on screens and scrolling through social media on their phone. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digital media explosion due to an emerging need for virtual connect during physical isolation [2]. The virtual contact with the world disconnected the young children from their caregivers, addicting them algorithmically to screens. This has altered not just the way children play and learn, but also how they think, feel, and relate to the world [2]. In tropical countries where children have access to smartphones but people have limited digital literacy (little knowledge about the best benefits of digital opportunities and also the physical, social, and mental problems associated with excessive screen and social media exposure), the impact on children is likely to be severe and lasting.