Screen Time: What Fairy Tales Can Teach Us About Living in a Digital World

In today's world, it's easy to see people lost in their phones. A friend sits nearby, but her attention is elsewhere. A child calls out, but she barely responds. This scene is common. It's not just about being distracted. It's about how technology changes how we connect. For years, people have compared internet use to addiction. They talk about cravings and withdrawal. They suggest digital detoxes as a cure. But is this the right way to think about it? Addiction is a strong word. It suggests something is wrong with us. Maybe the problem isn't us. Maybe it's how we use these tools. The internet isn't just a tool. It's a place. It has its own rules and culture. When you log on, you enter a different world. Time feels different. Your body feels less important. A new version of you comes forward. This isn't about addiction. It's about adaptation. We can't go back to a world without the internet. We can't avoid it. The best thing to do is learn how to live with it. Fairy tales can help. They teach us about good and evil, right and wrong. They help us make sense of the world. In the same way, we need stories to help us understand our digital lives. The internet is here to stay. It's not going away. The question is, how do we live with it? How do we make it work for us, not against us? Maybe the answer isn't in detoxes or sobriety. Maybe it's in understanding. Maybe it's in finding a balance.