Our children are not just getting tired
*Dr Zahoor Ahmed Danish
Childhood once meant streets, playgrounds, running,
falling, teamwork, sweat, and laughter. Today, much of it is spent on sofas,
screens, mobile games, short videos, and “just five more minutes.”
This is not only about reduced playtime. It affects a
child’s brain, body, mood, confidence, sleep, learning, and long-term health.
According to WHO, children and adolescents aged 5–17
need at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
Yet, globally, more than 80% of school-going adolescents do not meet
this standard.
Scientifically, prolonged sitting reduces energy
expenditure, weakens muscle activity, slows metabolism, affects sleep,
increases the risk of weight gain, and can harm bone strength and
cardiovascular fitness.
Psychologically, less movement can mean more
irritability, poor focus, low confidence, anxiety, and social withdrawal. Play
teaches children patience, teamwork, emotional control, discipline, and
resilience—skills no screen can fully replace.
This is a global silent crisis. Urbanization, unsafe
streets, academic pressure, limited play spaces, and digital entertainment are
quietly taking movement out of childhood.
The solution is not just “less screen time.”
The solution is to build a movement culture.
Children need:
- 60
minutes of active play daily
- Clear
screen-time boundaries
- Real
physical education in schools
- Safe
parks and play zones
- Parents
who model active living
- Equal
outdoor opportunities for girls and boys
Instead of asking, “Why are our children so lazy?”
we should ask, “Why did we take away their space to move, play, fall, rise,
and grow?”
When a child moves, only the body does not grow—the
mind opens, confidence builds, emotions stabilize, and personality develops.
Children need more than good grades. They
need strong bodies, balanced minds, and a living childhood.
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