Afridi urges parents to avoid mobile 'disease', reveals he gave daughters phones after marriage

LAHORE: Shahid Afridi’s remarks on parenting and mobile phone use have sparked a wave of debate online after he revealed that he gave smartphones to his daughters only after their marriage.

Speaking at an educational event attended by students, parents and faculty members, the former Pakistan cricket captain urged parents to keep children away from excessive mobile phone use, calling it a “disease” and criticising the habit of handing phones to children to calm them down. He also shared that in his own case, his elder daughters were only given phones after their nikkah.

Afridi’s comments quickly spread on social media, where reactions were sharply divided. While some agreed with his concerns about screen addiction and early exposure to devices, many users pushed back strongly against his approach and tone.

“The more you impose stupid restrictions the more rebellious and curious kids become. Stop this nonsense,” one user wrote, questioning strict limitations on children’s phone use.

Another commenter said, “Main saary parents sy request karta hoon k issay ignore karen,” urging others not to follow the advice.

Criticism also focused on the idea of restricting access rather than guiding usage. “Bacho ko yeh na sekhao k isko positively kaise use karna hai, bas 80s k parents ki tarah ban laga do har cheez per,” one user added sarcastically, arguing that children should be taught responsible use instead of outright bans.

However, the most widely shared reaction questioned a perceived gender bias in the remarks. “Betiyan thin isliye krliya, beta hota tou phir dekh lete kesy krty yeh,” a user commented, suggesting the rule would not have been applied the same way to sons.

The debate has since evolved into a broader conversation around parenting styles in the digital age, with users split between concerns over screen addiction, freedom of access, and the role of guidance versus restriction.