Dia Mirza, Varun Duggirala & Juhi Godambe On Parenting In 2025: It Is The Hardest...

Raising children today involves navigating a myriad of digital challenges, necessitating a blend of awareness and adaptability among parents. This complexity was the focus of Episode 5 of The Healing Circle, led by host Janice Sequeira and sponsored by coto. The episode assembled a diverse group of individuals, each in a unique phase of parenthood, to engage in a candid conversation about the intricacies of modern parenting in the digital era.

The dialogue, enriched by the insights of actress and environmentalist Dia Mirza, entrepreneur Varun Duggirala, influencer Juhi Godambe Jain, and Dr. Mona Gujral, chief psychologist at coto, delved into the nuances of digital parenting. They shared personal experiences and professional insights on managing technology's impact on children and emphasized the importance of emotional presence amidst the digital noise.

Confronting Screen Time Challenges

Dia Mirza's revelation about the negative effects of excessive screen time stood out. She compared screen addiction to a form of substance abuse, highlighting its significant impact on her daughter's well-being. "Screen content, especially that created for children, is like a dopamine addiction. It's like giving a child cocaine," Mirza explained, emphasizing the struggle to limit her daughter's screen usage, which had escalated to eight hours daily. Further, she expressed her concerns over the commodification of children on social media and the alarming rise in child exploitation and abuse, advocating for stricter regulations.

Varun Duggirala, echoing the call for balanced parenting, emphasized the joint responsibility of both parents in child-rearing. By actively managing his children's digital content and instilling values to distinguish between privilege and entitlement, Duggirala highlighted his approach to parenting. He openly discussed the emotional challenges fathers face, including 'dad guilt' and the pressure to balance work and parenting responsibilities effectively.

Emotional and Psychological Perspectives

Juhi Godambe Jain offered a lighter perspective, sharing anecdotes about her young child's fascination with technology, specifically voice assistants. However, she also touched on deeper issues such as societal expectations and the guilt associated with parenting decisions. Jain discussed how she maintains her individuality and creative voice amidst the pressures of motherhood, choosing not to pigeonhole herself as a 'mommy blogger.'

Dr. Mona Gujral provided a psychological viewpoint, explaining the long-term effects of screen exposure on children's brain development. She highlighted how repeated content consumption could shape children's identities and potentially contribute to learning disabilities and coping difficulties. Emphasizing mindful parenting, Dr. Gujral urged parents to address their emotional patterns before attempting to guide their children, underscoring the importance of self-awareness in effective parenting.

Learning and Adapting Together

The episode underscored the evolving nature of parenting and the need for continuous learning and adaptation. Dr. Gujral aptly summarized the journey, "Parenting is evolving on the go. You don't always have all the answers, but you learn as things unfold." This sentiment captures the essence of raising children in the digital age—a journey marked by challenges, learning, and the pursuit of balance.