Falak Bilal
Srinagar, Oct 1: In some Kashmir neighbourhoods, the evening whistle of children calling one another out to play has become less common.
The lanes are still busy, but children are increasingly indoors. Phones, television and online games occupy hours that once belonged to cricket bats, footballs, bicycles and improvised games on whatever open ground was available.
The change, however, is not simply about children choosing screens. A lack of safe and accessible playing spaces is becoming part of the problem.
“In Kashmir, we simply don’t have enough safe and accessible playgrounds. Many neighbourhoods don’t even have a basic ground. Winters limit outdoor activity, traffic is unsafe, and parents are understandably protective,” said child-health specialist Dr Abrar Guroo.
That shortage can leave families with few alternatives. “Children don’t prefer screens — they default to screens because there is no alternative,” Guroo said.
The issue is increasingly being recognised by local authorities. Srinagar administration reviewed plans in June to develop at least one playfield in every panchayat of the district.
For parents, the dilemma is familiar: streets are crowded, traffic is unpredictable and nearby parks may not always be maintained. A March 2026 report also highlighted damaged equipment and poor upkeep in several Srinagar parks.
The result is a quieter childhood. A child once went outside because that was where friends were. Today, for many, the first playground is a screen—and the real one may be missing.
