In the digital age, screens are everywhere — from classrooms and living rooms to the palms of our hands. While technology has brought undeniable benefits in education, entertainment, and communication, its overuse among children in India has given rise to a growing concern: screen addiction.
Recent research and health experts have sounded warning bells on the sudden rise in screen time among Indian kids, underscoring the need for pressing awareness and corrective steps.
A Post-Pandemic Shift
The COVID-19 pandemic served as a driver for more screen time. With schools going online, kids were reliant on screens for schooling. Though in-person classes resumed later, most children continued to spend too much time on screens — whether social media, online games, or watching videos.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), a 2023 study discovered that almost 25% of Indian children between the ages of 8 and 16 exhibit symptoms of problematic internet use. Experts caution screen addiction is fast emerging as one of the most prevalent behavioral issues in children these days.
What Is Screen Addiction?
Screen addiction is the excessive use of digital devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, and television in a manner that disrupts routine activities of life. Unlike occasional or intentioned screen usage, addiction is characterized by the inability to control screen use in the face of adverse effects.
Some of the common symptoms are:
- Irritability if prevented from using devices
- Insatiable urge to be on the internet or play games
- No interest in physical activity or hobbies
- Poor performance at school
- Disturbance of sleep or fatigue
- Social withdrawal or loss of face-to-face interaction
If left untreated, this behavioral condition can lead to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, attention disorders, and even long-term cognitive and emotional delays.
Underlying Reasons in the Indian Context
Some India-related reasons are responsible for this increase in screen addiction:
1. Restriction of urban lifestyle
Most urban households reside in apartments with few parks or secure outdoor spaces, so children become encouraged to find entertainment indoors.
2. Academic Pressure and Insufficient Play Time
The academic focus leaves no time for play or creative pursuits, so screens become an easy outlet for kids.
3. Working Parents and Digital Babysitting
With two working parents in most families, kids are frequently given gadgets to keep them entertained — something that is popularly known as “digital babysitting.”
4. Peer Pressure and Internet Trends
The rage of peer groups towards online games and social media challenges promotes overuse, usually without realizing the risk factors involved.
The Role of Parents and Schools
Screen addiction needs to be addressed by collective action by families, schools, and policy makers.
What Parents Can Do:
- Establish daily limits on screen use (recommended: no more than 1 hour for children 2–5 years)
- Establish screen-free zones such as bedrooms and dining tables
- Promote outdoor activities, hobbies, and family interaction
- Model behavior — restrict your own screen use when with children
- Limit content and use parental controls
What Schools Can Do:
- Educate on digital literacy and responsible technology use
- Include physical activities, arts, and social interaction as part of regular curriculum
- Offer guidance counselors to assist children who have behavior issues
- Educate parents by running workshops and community programs
Finding a Healthy Balance
Technology is an integral component of contemporary life, and it is not practical or advisable to do away with screens altogether. The aim has to be to educate children on how to use technology in a savvy way, making it contribute positively toward their growth.
By establishing organized screen routines, encouraging rich real-life experiences, and keeping lines of communication open, we can ensure children develop in a well-balanced, healthy digital world.
Conclusion
The increase in screen addiction among Indian children is an insidious but real problem. To ignore it now may produce a generation fraught with mental illness, less active, and less social. Now is the time to act — not by prohibiting screens, but by promoting digital discipline and ensuring human relationships are the priority in the lives of our children.
