Dolls lost in screen glow

MULTAN:

In the narrow streets of Multan, once alive with the laughter of little girls playing with dolls dressed in hand-stitched frocks, a quiet transformation has taken hold. The familiar scene of daughters combing their dolls' hair or arranging miniature weddings has nearly vanished, replaced by the blue glow of mobile screens.

Games and toys have long been central to the story of childhood, shaping how societies imagine innocence, creativity, and gender. But as digital devices invade every corner of life, they are subtly rewriting those definitions.

Across South Punjab, parents are noticing the change — and many aren't happy about it. For generations, dolls were not just playthings but companions — tiny confidantes that taught empathy, affection, and the first lessons in care.

Moth