Trying to figure out Gen Z...

What can I do without a phone, mom? asked a little girl while waiting at the backstage.
She looked so disappointed, and her mother gave in and handed her the mobile phone.
A little later, the same little girl walked onto the stage professionally with a bouquet to greet one of the officials on the dais.
While the world is still trying to figure out Gen Z, there are a whole lot of young children in the world who are growing up not even noticing the world around them because they are so engrossed in their mobile phone games.
What they see is when they look up from the screens. Thankfully, they cannot take mobile phones to schools.
The concern is that most of the communication skills are developed early from interaction and observation.
Main Quest psychotherapy says, 'As technology continues to advance, video games have become more immersive, engaging, and accessible than ever before. However, with this increased accessibility comes a greater risk of developing an addiction to gaming.'
Whether they are children or adults, the impact is a lack of movement, isolation and even a lack of nutrition. The teenagers and professional gamers might end up spending more time with virtual friends than with their family and friends.
Now, obviously, a ground for conflict is being developed, and parents might even hesitate to bring up the topic. But professionals point out it is important to have an open dialogue and, if need be, even get counselling.
On the other hand, experts also say gaming can teach quite a few skills. Gaming enthusiasts are always on the lookout for the time to play. And parents and family members are wondering how to get their time.
In another part of the world, the situation is different. Children are involved in collecting food.
A statement by Unicef Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder said, 'Children have endured unimaginable suffering; more than 64,000 children have reportedly been killed or injured, and more than 58,000 have lost a parent during the conflict. Entire cities have been flattened and critical systems destroyed.'
One million children have endured the daily horrors of surviving in the world’s most dangerous place to be a child, leaving them with wounds of fear, loss, and grief.
“The importance of restoring education in this early recovery work cannot be overstated. After two lost years, families know that a return to proper education will provide a foundation for learning, healing, hope and long-term social cohesion in their communities,' the statement added.
“Unicef succeeded in bringing more than 100,000 children back to face-to-face learning during the war and now aims, together with education partners, to return all 650,000 school-age children to school.
In most parts of the world, children take it all for granted - safety, playgrounds, running water, classrooms, books, teachers, and schools.
It is through interactions and observations that we develop empathy.
When someone hurts us, we realise the hurt that can be caused by words. Do we mimic the behaviour, or do we prefer to stay true to our values? But how do we know what our values are when we have no time away from our virtual reality?
I was at a nursery school event, and children enacted their respective roles in the drama that was based on good habits and principles.
They sang and danced, and on some occasions we could hear one or two crying out, 'Mama.'
And then the principal spoke, 'Parents, don't worry if you hear your child cry. What is important is that the children be on stage and face the audience.'
It is true, is it not?
The drama of life continues - from play school to classrooms to boardrooms. And it is all about whether we react or respond; being at the right place at the right time.

Lakshmi Kothaneth The writer is a senior editor of Observer