Nowadays more youngsters are hooked to digital devices than in the last 20 years.A lot of parents complain and watch with great concern as their kids seemingly get lost in the world of Internet,gaming and movies.Films that explore concepts that border on the fantastical/magical are looked at with great concern, as parents are convinced that the more time that a youngster spends time on fantasy,fiction or Sci-Fi themes,the less likely they will be able to adjust to the “real world”.This is far from the truth.

There is no study that indicates that watching fantasy genres or indulging in fiction stunts a person’s ability to perceive or react to the happenings of the “real world”.But there is something that results out of this indulgence/exposure —something that needs to cherished rather than shunned or looked at through colored lenses– the ability to look at options without being judgmental.

During childhood(and all the way to adulthood),one is in a phase where repeatedly conforming to set of rules earns you appreciation.You operate within certain boundaries and after a certain time your imagination will become stunted as you always look at things in terms of “cause/effect”(if you try to fly you will get hurt,you can’t unfry an omlette).This is where a healthy dose of fiction/fantasy can help your mind to explore areas not bound by rules/boundaries.Edward de Bono,in fact ,advocates a little day-dreaming to keep your mind active.This line of thought is diametrically opposite to the view about video games being beneficial (Video games give a release and should not be viewed as learning tools).

So next time,someone in your vicinity has an animated conversation about the characters in the latest Transformers movie,don’t raise your eyebrows;you are in the presence of someone who is embracing the limitlessness of Life itself.

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