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General Studies 2023 GS Paper I 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Discuss

GS Paper I — Q10

Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children. (Answer in 150 words)…

Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

बच्चे को दुलारने की जगह अब मोबाइल फोन ने ले ली है। बच्चों के समाजीकरण पर इसके प्रभाव की चर्चा कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

Q10 of the 2023 UPSC Mains General Studies GS Paper I, as printed
The question as printed in the 2023 General Studies paper
Evaluate your answer to this question → See all 2023 General Studies questions

Model answer

Written by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key.

The shift from tactile warmth to screen engagement profoundly alters primary socialization. Under John Bowlby’s attachment framework, physical touch stimulates oxytocin release, vital for secure emotional bonding; its substitution weakens parent-child attachment and future relational capacity. Screen-mediated interaction further delays the development of non-verbal communication skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence.

In Indian middle-class households, mobile phones increasingly serve as "digital pacifiers," resulting in attention deficits and reduced peer interaction. Structurally, this accelerates generational disconnect by eroding the traditional caregiving role of grandparents, compounding the isolation of nuclear families.

Conversely, screen exposure fosters early digital literacy, though often at the cost of authentic interpersonal development. This impact is class-differentiated: urban affluent children face emotional detachment from over-saturation, while rural children navigate distinct digital access-socialization trade-offs.

Way Forward: Restoring balanced socialization requires heightened parental awareness, creating domestic "no-phone zones," reviving tactile, outdoor play, and actively integrating joint family engagement into early childhood development.

What "Discuss" is asking you to do

Lay the issue out from more than one side — how it arose, what is claimed for it, what is held against it, and where it now stands. UPSC attaches discuss to broad topics with several live dimensions, so coverage of the dimensions earns more than the strength of your opinion.

Structure that answers it

Set the issue up → the case as it is made → the case against → the dimension both sides leave out → where the balance now lies

Where marks are lost

Listing facts with no thread between them, or arguing one side throughout and calling it a discussion.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: GS1 Society: continuity, data, intersectionality, then solution. discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close Full marks: Analyzes the shift with specific impacts on social skills, balanced view, and clear conclusion.

Key points expected

  • Define the phenomenon of 'screen cuddling' replacing physical affection
  • Identify at least two negative impacts on social skills (e.g., empathy, communication)
  • Mention one positive or nuance (e.g., digital literacy, global connectivity)
  • Conclude with a balanced view or way forward

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

  1. The answer Analyze the shift from physical to digital interaction and its specific effects on child socialization. 10 marks · 150 words

    discuss— intro → 3-4 dimensions → example → balanced close

    Must cover

    • Define the phenomenon of 'screen cuddling' replacing physical affection
    • Identify at least two negative impacts on social skills (e.g., empathy, communication)
    • Mention one positive or nuance (e.g., digital literacy, global connectivity)
    • Conclude with a balanced view or way forward

    Loses marks

    • Narrating chronology of mobile phone history
    • Emotive words without analytical substance
    • Ignoring the 'socialization' aspect and focusing only on health

    Earns more

    • Reference to 'digital natives' or 'screen time' concepts
    • Mention of specific developmental stages affected
    • Link to family dynamics or parenting styles
    • Use of terms like 'socialization' or 'social skills' correctly

    Extra mark

    • Cite a specific study or statistic on screen time and social development
    • Mention a specific psychological theory (e.g., Vygotsky's social development)

Practice this exact question

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