Do Not Give Smartphones to Children, Warns CM Yogi Adityanath; Says It Can Lead to Stubbornness and Depression

Gorakhpur, Jan 14:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued a strong warning against the excessive use of smartphones, especially among young children, cautioning that it can have serious psychological and behavioral consequences. Addressing the audience during the Gorakhpur Mahotsav, the Chief Minister urged parents and society to rethink their growing dependence on mobile phones.

CM Yogi expressed concern over the common sight of very young children being handed smartphones to keep them occupied. “This should not be done. Giving smartphones to small children is like committing an offence,” he said. He emphasized that instead of mobile phones, children should be encouraged to develop habits of reading, writing, learning new skills, and engaging in constructive activities.

Highlighting the harmful effects of early smartphone exposure, the Chief Minister stated that children who become habitual users often turn stubborn and may even fall prey to depression. “Initially, parents may not realize the damage being done. When the impact becomes evident later, it leads to regret and distress,” he warned.

Appealing to the general public, CM Yogi also spoke about responsible smartphone usage among adults. He advised people to keep their phones switched off or on silent mode while driving vehicles. He stressed that road accidents have become a major challenge, with young people and entire families losing their lives due to negligence and mobile phone distractions. “To change this situation, we must change our behavior. Discipline and patience are the greatest strengths in life,” he said.

During his address, the Chief Minister also drew a sharp comparison between mosquitoes and mafias, calling them complementary threats. “One harms the body, the other damages society,” he remarked, adding that lack of awareness and cleanliness—both physical and social—leads to serious consequences.

Reflecting on the situation before 2017, CM Yogi said that Gorakhpur, like many parts of the state, was plagued by crime, illegal taxation, poor infrastructure, power shortages, filth, diseases, and encephalitis. “We never lost patience. We worked consistently to eliminate these problems. Today, action has been taken against both mosquitoes and mafias, and Gorakhpur has emerged from that dark phase,” he asserted.

The Chief Minister’s remarks have sparked widespread discussion, bringing renewed attention to the impact of digital addiction, road safety, and the need for disciplined lifestyles in modern society.