A month ago, on a chilly Mumbai morning, a group of teenagers gathered at dawn for an adventure-filled trek to Karnala Fort, located in the lush Karnala Bird Sanctuary off Panvel. As they trekked deeper into nature’s embrace, they enjoyed the vibrant bird calls and tackled rocky paths that tested their resilience and heightened their excitement. The climb culminated in stunning views from the summit, where they not only felt a strong sense of achievement but also learnt valuable historical and life lessons. This journey was more than a simple escape from school; it was a transformative experience that left lasting impressions.

Ideally, every child should spend weekends hiking, or engage in outdoor activities daily. However, reality is far different. Today’s adolescents, between 10 and 19, come across challenges such as stress, bullying and intense peer pressure in a world where digital interaction is at an all-time high. A research paper in the International Journal of Psychology, titled Impact of Digital Screen Time on Adolescents, reveals that adolescents, who constitute 20 per cent of India’s population, spend an average of four to five hours daily on digital devices.