Listen to Story Excessive screen time, a growing concern among parents and healthcare professionals, has become synonymous with "addiction". Psychologist Dr Aric Sigman, in his paper published in the Journal of the International Child Neurology Association , explains addiction as "a term increasingly used to describe the growing number of children engaging in a variety of different screen activities in a dependent, problematic manner". This troubling phenomenon is indirectly leading to a range of disorders in India.
SCREEN TIME-RELATED DISORDERS IN CHILDREN One major problem that this activity of looking at a screen for a long period has directly given rise to is the obesity epidemic. Obesity has further led to a series of health issues. On the one hand, the young are hooked to screens and, on the other, India is facing a growing burden of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
The ripple effects of these physical and mental health challenges can be profound, setting the stage for long-term health problems that could persist into adulthood. Unregulated screen time can cause changes in the brains of children, and not so much in adults since their brains are already developed. This can stunt their neural development and increase their screen dependency.
One major problem that this activity of looking at a screen for a long period has directly given rise to is the obesity epidemic. (Photo: Getty Images) According to a research published in PLUS One , excessive screen time usage has caused developmental delay in children under 5. Increased screen time was significantly associated with developmental delay, in particular, in the domains of language acquisition and communication, especially in children under 2 years of age.
Child psychologist Dr Swati Chhabra told IndiaToday.in while screen time isn't directly linked to rising disorders in children, it is surely putting more children into neurodevelopmental disorders. "With between in the ages of 7 to 8 don't have eye contact leading to autism.
The child begins miming what they watch on screens by changing their accent. Excessive screen time for children under 3 years is a major risk factor," said Dr Chhabra. PERSONALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), children under the age of 2 are not recommended to look at screen - only educational programs with a caregiver.
For children 2 to 5 years of age, one hour or less screen time is recommended - one hour on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), children under the age of 2 are not recommended to look at screen - only educational programs with a caregiver. (Photo: Getty Images) However, there's no recommended screen time usage time for children 6 years and older.
Healthy usage and activities are encouraged. Experts have said that constant bombardment of information and entertainment can lead to overstimulation, reducing attention spans and making it difficult for children to engage in real-world activities or develop meaningful interpersonal relationships. Dr Chhabra highlighted how screen time is aggravating isolated language delays , in which a child understands things and can express their needs through signs or pointing without using words.
Dr Kadam Nagpal, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Salubritas, shared that excess screen time disrupts and de-synchronises the biological clock of a child, affecting their sleep-wake cycle. "This sleep-wake cycle can cause memory and attention issues . The light emitted from screens at night can also affect the production of a neurotransmitter called dopamine, also known as feel-good chemical in the brain, that makes the child want to watch over and over," Dr Nagpal told IndiaToday.
in. Excess screen time disrupts and de-synchronises the biological clock of a child, affecting their sleep-wake cycle. (Photo: Getty Images) The expert added that the use of gadgets also causes photosensitive epilepsy and migraines in children.
"In general, it just keeps children away from physical activity and this has dangerous impacts, causing an obesity epidemic in the country," cautioned Dr Nagpal. US-based psychotherapist Dr George Lynn said that as a result of watching too many online videos or excessively using social media, children are being diagnosed with personality syndrome. "Most doctors, family doctors, even psychiatric practitioners are not hip to the obvious fact that a kid might be only getting two to three hours of sleep at night.
And this causes personality problems," said Dr Lynn told NeuroHealth. A child's dependence on screens can result in insomnia, back pain, weight fluctuations, vision issues, headaches, anxiety, dishonesty, feelings of guilt, and loneliness, as pointed out by Dr Aarushi Dewan, Clinical psychologist, Founder of Coping Keys. "The period from birth to 2 years of age is the sensorimotor stage of cognitive development.
Children when exposed to digital media, can replace important and beneficial activities for neuropsychomotor growth and development with screens," explained Dr Dewan. Besides affecting the quality of sleep, it causes electronic screen syndrome , i.e.
screen time addiction. "Parents tend to use screens to pacify their children when they are crying, which results in children not learning how to calm themselves, how to regulate their emotions, eventually resulting in poor emotional regulation in children," the expert added. Digital games regulate a child's attention, due to which children experience less curiosity, self-control and attain emotional instability.
Various researchers have reported that preschool children with more than 2 hours of screen time a day had a 7.7-fold increased risk of meeting criteria for ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Digital games regulate a child's attention, due to which children experience less curiosity, self-control and attain emotional instability.
(Photo: Getty Images) Dr Dewan shared that sensorimotor delays are also witnessed in children with excessively increased screen time. "The motor and sensory delays are likely indirectly related to screen time. The more time children spend on screens, the less time they spend in physical activities that promote their sensory and motor development," she said.
In fact, in adolescent, the trend of personality disorders is rising. Dr Rakesh K Chadda, Head of the Psychiatry Department at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, explained that there has been a significant increase in cases of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), also known as borderline personality disorder, among young people over the past two decades. "This condition is more common in females than in males.
Untreated, it can severely impact social and occupational functioning, leading to co-occurring mental health issues like depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and an increased risk of suicide," explained Dr Chadda. There has been a significant increase in cases of Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (Photo: Getty Images) The rise in screen time, digital addiction, and cyberbullying exacerbates mental health issues, resulting in low mood, social isolation, self-harm, and substance abuse. ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY The only way to limit screen time, according to experts, is to encourage physical activity.
"Try to encourage creative activities for your child," said Dr Chhabra. Experts highlighted the importance of encouraging healthy lifestyles and responsible technology use from an early age to prevent personality disorders and other future mental health challenges as well. According to WHO, improving physical activity, reducing inactivity and ensuring quality sleep in young children will improve their physical, and mental health and well-being.
This can help prevent childhood obesity and associated diseases later in life. "To grow up healthy, children need to sit less and play more," WHO declared. Dr Juana Willumsen, WHO focal point for childhood obesity and physical activity, said, "What we really need to do is bring back play for children.
" The pattern of overall 24-hour activity is key: replacing prolonged restrained or sedentary screen time with more active play, while making sure young children get enough good-quality sleep. Quality inactive time should be spent in interactive non-screen-based activities with a caregiver, such as reading, storytelling, singing and puzzles, as this is very important for child development. Mental health professionals, parents, educators, and policymakers each have a critical role in protecting the mental well-being of young people.
As screens increasingly replace traditional play and face-to-face communication, the developmental consequences are becoming more apparent. This necessitates a collective effort to encourage healthier, more balanced lifestyles for the younger generation..
