Reel Disruption: How Mobile Screen Addiction Is Disturbing Public Life

From metro trains to hospitals, from restaurants to temples, the loud and thoughtless use of mobile phones is affecting the peace and functionality of shared spaces. Watching videos without headphones, playing games at full volume, and ignoring the surroundings while glued to screens are becoming disturbingly common. In the Hyderabad metro, where students, workers, and the elderly commute daily, this issue is more pronounced. Commuters trying to unwind after a long day are disturbed by fellow passengers loudly scrolling reels or gaming on their phones. Even those wearing headphones sometimes become a problem when they block metro doors or fail to notice what’s happening around them, causing safety concerns and delays.

This trend doesn’t stop with public transport. Hospitals, restaurants, parks, temples, and even theaters are affected. In places meant for healing, relaxation, devotion, or social bonding, the mobile screen culture has taken over. Whether it’s someone watching reels in a hospital ward, or a ringtone breaking the silence of a prayer, these instances reflect a growing insensitivity to shared environments.

Experts and citizens point to several underlying causes. One is the lack of self-control many forget that stepping into a public space means adopting certain moral and social responsibilities. Another is the addictive nature of short videos, which stimulate dopamine release and keep users hooked for hours without them realizing the impact on those around them. The lack of enforceable rules and general social awareness only makes things worse. Many act as if their private entertainment is more important than the peace of those nearby.

The effects are not just annoying, they’re harmful. Loud mobile usage causes mental distress, especially to students trying to concentrate, workers trying to rest, and patients needing peace. It also distances people from real social interaction, as phones replace conversation and connection. Most importantly, it shows a worrying decline in the sense of social responsibility, especially in places where calm and respect are essential.

The solution must come from all sides. Public awareness campaigns by governments, civic bodies, and tech companies are essential. Silent zone signs should be installed in metros, hospitals, temples, and similar spaces. Individuals can make use of in-built tools like Screen Time and Focus Mode to monitor and limit usage. But above all, it requires self-discipline. We must learn to be more mindful of others, not just for social harmony but as a sign of our maturity and values as human beings.

Technology is a gift, but when misused, it becomes a burden on society. Mobile phones are here to stay but if we are to coexist peacefully in our cities, a cultural shift toward responsible usage is not just important, it’s urgent.