Buddhist Leader Warns Youth Against Digital Dependency, Urges Real-World Engagement

His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche has issued a call for young people to reduce their dependence on digital devices and virtual environments, warning that prolonged screen exposure may inhibit personal development. According to the spiritual leader, overreliance on technology and AI systems can foster passivity among youth, limiting their ability to engage meaningfully with the world around them.

Rinpoche emphasized that authentic human experiences, particularly those involving adversity and challenge, play a crucial role in building character. He argued that confronting difficulties in real-world settings helps cultivate resilience—the capacity to recover from setbacks—and fosters genuine compassion for others through direct interpersonal connection.

The spiritual leader's remarks reflect growing concerns across Asia about the psychological and social impacts of digital technology on younger generations. Mental health experts and community leaders have increasingly highlighted the need for balance between virtual and physical engagement, particularly as screen-based activities dominate daily life for many young people in the region.

Rinpoche's message underscores the importance of traditional values and lived experience in personal growth, suggesting that meaningful development requires stepping beyond digital interfaces to engage with genuine human interaction and the complexities of navigating the physical world.