Former captain calls mobile phones a “disease”
KARACHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has come under heavy criticism on social media after calling mobile phones a “disease” and revealing that he gave phones to his daughters only after their marriages.
Afridi made the remarks during a conference focused on parenting and the growing influence of technology on children. During his speech, he urged parents to limit children’s exposure to smartphones and social media platforms, arguing that excessive screen time negatively affects young minds.
Furthermore, Afridi advised families to spend more quality time with their children instead of depending on digital devices for entertainment or distraction.
He also criticized the common practice of giving mobile phones to children merely to keep them quiet, saying parents should remain more actively involved in their upbringing.
In addition, the former cricketer questioned the trend of sending children to schools at a very early age, particularly between two-and-a-half and three years old.
Social media users react strongly to comments
Meanwhile, Afridi’s comments quickly spread across social media platforms and sparked intense debate among users.
While several supporters praised his conservative parenting views and concerns regarding screen addiction, many others strongly disagreed with his remarks. Critics described his statements as outdated, restrictive, and disconnected from modern realities.
Additionally, some social media users accused Afridi of promoting gender-biased attitudes by linking access to mobile phones with his daughters’ marriages.
Despite the backlash, supporters argued that Afridi was highlighting genuine concerns about the harmful effects of uncontrolled technology use among children and teenagers.
The debate continues online as users remain divided over parenting styles, digital exposure, and cultural expectations within Pakistani society.
