A small newspaper headline can often unmask an entire society. “Teenagers are leaving home after being asked to study and prevented from making reels”—this sentence isn’t just information, but a statement of a profound tragedy of our times. It reveals that home, supposedly the safest place for children, is in many cases becoming a centre of unbearable pressure for them. Studies, discipline, and worries about the future—all of these are essential, but when they are imposed on children with fear, taunts, insults, and comparisons, the result is not motivation to learn, but escape. This news forces us to pause and consider what we truly want from our children—marks, ranks, and performance, or balanced, sensitive, and healthy human beings?
Today’s teens are going through unprecedented changes. The digital world has expanded their options—Reels, short videos, online friendships, instant fame, and instant praise. All of this is alluring, but also inherently unstable. In these times, the role of the family becomes even more crucial. Unfortunately, in many homes, communication has been replaced by commands, understanding by comparison, and empathy by expectations. “We are saying this for your own good”—this phrase often strikes children as a fear, as it is not accompanied by a willingness to listen.
Society has developed a one-sided view of education. The yardstick for success has been narrowed to good grades, prestigious colleges, and a so-called secure career. In this race, it’s forgotten that not every child is the same. Some are interested in science, some in art; some thrive in sports, some in writing. When everyone is forced into a single mold, many children break down. They begin to consider their failure a personal offense and gradually lose self-confidence. Leaving home is the culmination of that breakdown—a desperate attempt, where the child seeks to escape and find peace.
Adolescence is a time of emotional turmoil. The body changes, the mind is filled with questions, and there’s a restlessness about establishing an identity. During this time, if the home is filled with scolding, yelling, contempt, and constant surveillance, the child feels isolated and unappreciated. They feel their feelings are unappreciated. Parents often mistake their children’s silence for discipline, but it’s actually a buildup of tension within. It’s hard to predict when this tension will explode—leaving home, turning to drugs, or even self-harm.
Blaming Reels and social media solely for this problem would be an oversimplification. Excessive screen time indeed impacts children’s concentration and patience, but the question is, why do children seek refuge in screens? Often, it’s because they feel heard, appreciated, or at least not judged. If there’s lively communication, shared time, and trusting relationships at home, digital attraction remains balanced. The problem isn’t technology, but our relationship with it.
Parents’ concerns are natural. They want to learn from their own experiences and protect their children from difficulties. But when concern turns into control, it’s detrimental. Taking away children’s hobbies, preventing them from seeing friends, and constantly comparing them—these methods may seem like discipline in the short term, but they shatter trust in the long run. A child may appear obedient, but rebellion festers within. A love for learning stems not from fear, but from meaning—when a child understands why they’re studying and what direction they’re moving toward.
The role of schools and educational institutions is no less crucial. The exam-centric system turns children into marks machines. Serious investment in counselling, life skills, and mental health remains elusive. Teachers often overlook children’s emotional needs under the pressure of completing the curriculum. If school and home work together to create a supportive system—one where there is dialogue about a child’s interests, abilities, and mental state—many tragedies can be prevented.
The social display of successes and ridicule of failures also exacerbates the problem. Comparisons from relatives, neighbourhood expectations, the buzz of achievement on social media—all of this is multiplied by parental pressure, which in turn is passed on to children. We must collectively accept that not every path is the same, and that even late-blooming flowers exude fragrance. Life is not linear; it has pauses, turns, and restarts.
Silence is the most dangerous aspect of mental health. Children’s sadness, irritability, sleep changes, and a sudden disengagement from studies—these are all signs that are easy to dismiss as “drama” or “stubbornness.” But timely, sensitive intervention—a calm conversation, non-interruptive listening, and professional counselling if needed—can save many lives. Counselling is not a stigma, but a wise step.
Creating a culture of dialogue within the home is a pressing need today. Daily shared time—without mobile phones, without commands—is where children can share their day, fears, and dreams. Parents’ acceptance of the possibility of mistakes helps children become more honest. Rules are important, but explaining the reasons behind them and listening to children’s opinions is just as crucial. Discipline should come from consent, not fear.
Initiatives are also needed at the policy level. Trained counsellors in schools, regular workshops for parents, and the inclusion of life skills and emotional education in the curriculum—these steps are the need of the hour. Digital literacy is not just about using technology, but also about understanding its limitations. Children must be taught self-regulation so they can balance screen time and learning.
Ultimately, the question is what kind of society do we want to create? One that scares children into “success,” or one that understands and empowers them? Teenagers leaving home is a sign of our collective failure. This isn’t just the story of one family, but a reflection of our priorities. If we don’t stop, listen, and change today, the news will be even more bitter.
We must remember that children are not the future, but the present. Their laughter, curiosity, and disagreement—all are part of life. Education is important, but even more important is the environment in which it occurs. When the home becomes a place of friendship, respect, and trust, children will not run away—they will stay and soar. This is the greatest call of the time, and this is the greatest responsibility we have.
