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The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly transformed children’s social and family behavior in Nepal. They have become deeply engrossed in the digital world, prioritizing screen time over reading and writing. Their interest in spending time with family members, attending social gatherings, or participating in outdoor activities has noticeably declined.

Shifting interests and social behavior

Before the pandemic, children eagerly insisted on visiting fun parks, movies, and new places, making it challenging for parents to keep them at home. School-organized educational tours and picnics were filled with laughter, jokes, songs, and games, strengthening their bond with teachers and friends. However, in the post-Covid era, children have shifted their attention to personal gadgets. Instead of engaging in group activities, they form small interest-based groups and spend time playing online games. They show little interest in attending social events, preferring isolation over interaction. Even when encouraged to join group activities, they participate briefly and then withdraw.

Their eating habits have also changed—healthy food is often ignored in favor of junk food. Moreover, children have become more secretive about their activities and are reluctant to share experiences with teachers. This increasing detachment from group interactions has led to a decline in their ability to engage in social and extracurricular activities.

Changing attitudes towards guests and gatherings

Before the pandemic, children enjoyed having guests at home. They looked forward to receiving chocolates, gifts, and delicious food. They eagerly shared personal stories about their studies, friends, and school experiences. Additionally, when parents were away, children would often request guests to stay longer to avoid study-related restrictions.

However, post-Covid, children exhibit discomfort and irritation when guests visit. They see social gatherings as an intrusion into their private space and show minimal interest in engaging with guests. Greetings are often brief, and they fail to show appreciation for gifts. They avoid eye contact, give short responses, and quickly retreat to their rooms. The warmth and excitement of welcoming guests have been replaced by a desire for solitude.

Furthermore, children are increasingly protective of their private space. They dislike family members entering their rooms and hesitate to share what they are watching on their devices, fearing objections from parents. They prefer following their self-made schedules rather than those set by their parents. Their private room and gadgets have become their entire world.

Decline in outdoor activities and social interaction

The shift from outdoor play to indoor screen time is evident. Before Covid-19, children would insist on visiting parks, and their presence in community playgrounds was vibrant. This outdoor play significantly contributed to their physical, social, and psychological well-being. The playground was their real world.

Now, the parks and playgrounds are noticeably quieter. Children no longer push their parents to take them out; instead, they engage in digital activities within the confines of their rooms. Singing, dancing, and playing have been confined to the virtual space, reducing real-world social interactions.

Parents’ perception and household changes

Parents frequently complain that their children spend excessive time on gadgets but paradoxically feel relieved that they are not wasting time outside or engaging in conflicts with peers. Some even take pride in the fact that their children do not attend unnecessary parties or spend time with guests. The household has become quieter, with children withdrawing from family spaces like the kitchen and living room to spend more time in their private rooms. While this peaceful environment may seem beneficial, it raises concerns about children’s social development and emotional well-being.

The way forward

To address these challenges, parents must lead by example. Reducing their own gadget use in front of children is crucial. A well-balanced family schedule should be created, ensuring that screen time is limited, and interactive family moments are prioritized. Discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of digital devices should be openly conducted at home, school, and within the curriculum.

While we cannot entirely separate children from the digital world, we can integrate social norms and values into their digital experiences. Schools and parents must collaboratively design engaging schedules that cater to children’s interests while reinforcing moral education, family values, and the significance of travel and real-world experiences. By finding a balance between digital engagement and traditional values, we can help children develop into well-rounded individuals who appreciate both technology and social connections.

Business of traditional sweet, Chaku, made from jaggery molasses is now experiencing the bitter taste of a shortage of workers which in years might widen the gap between demand and supply. Rohit Shrestha (19) is the fourth generation within his lineage to continue the business of Chaku (molasses) in the ancient town of Tokha in the outskirts of Kathmandu but things are going to change from his generation onwards. “I am the fourth generation who has been working on this family business of Chaku (molasses) making. I started assisting in the factory from an early age. I recently have completed my intermediate level (+2) and haven’t enrolled in the Bachelor’s level (Graduation). I want to go to foreign country after completion of my studies, where as of now am planning to continue promoting the molasses,” Shrestha told ANI while taking a break from his work at the factory.

The rising trend of flying abroad in search of better opportunities and education has been rising in the country. The majority of those flying abroad are youths and earning age groups queuing up at the airport ready to take off leaving the elderly behind.

The aroma of boiling stacks of sugar lumps filling the air around the Tokha is fading out in Tokha which is popular for first-class molasses which has high demand in the market. However, the making of molasses is seasonal and the industry only works full-fledged for just two months in a year with production made sparsely based on the demands.

Tokha, an ancient settlement inside Kathmandu Valley, is believed to have been in existence from the Malla Period, long before the unification of Nepal by Prithivi Narayan Shah and currently has around 15 molasses-making home-based industries.

The word ‘Tokha’ has an appendage from a Newa word ‘Tyokha’ meaning sweet and molasses were the main product of this place which has continued over the centuries. The Newa community of Kathmandu valley consumes a high volume of Chaku (molasses)—confectionery made from concentrated sugarcane juice, jaggery, ghee and nuts which holds significance on Maghe Sakranti—the first day of the 10th month as per the Lunar calendar.

This process involves melting jaggery, stirring it continuously and then cooling it in clay pots. It is then whipped, slapped, and stretched until it turns dark brown. The confectionery is then weighed, topped with nuts, and packaged. The whole process takes two to three hours.

Shrestha’s factory which used to employ about 20 people last year now is hosting 11 struggling to keep afloat the business. The current number also includes his family members who are now assisting in the factory work to continue the business. The situation in coming years can be dire for the small-scale industries that exist in this ancient town within the valley provided the steep rise in immigration culture that is brewing among the youths and active population group. With this, the sweet business of molasses is now experiencing the bitter taste of a shortage of workers which in years might widen the gap between demand and supply.

“Every year the demand for the Chaku (molasses) is continuing to rise but the shortage of the staff to work in the factory is resulting in the downfall of the supply. Many of the youths are now vying from foreign countries (the Gulf, Australia, Europe and the US) which has resulted in a shortage of staff to work in the factory which has cut the supply in terms of demands,” Buddha Shrestha, the Vice-Chair of the Tokha Traditional Chaku (Molasses) Conservation Society told ANI.