Srinagar, Feb. 4 -- But are these numbers a sign of progress, or a troubling shift in how our young minds? True, the new generation is born into screens. For today's teenagers, the smartphone isn't just a gadget-it's their classroom, playground, diary, and best friend. They aren't just using these devices; they are living through them. The ASER survey found that nearly half (48.5 percent) of students in J&K own a personal smartphone, far above the national average of 31.4 percent. That means they are making their own decisions-what to watch, who to follow, when to log in, and when to tune out.

The pandemic only deepened this reliance. With schools shut and classrooms shifting online, smartphones became the lifeline of education. Even tod...