Screen Time and Child Development: Navigating the Impact of Gadgets

Dear Readers,

We have seen how and why gadgets are exposed to children at a very early age in our previous newsletter, let us now understand better, the negative impact of the use of gadgets in young children and bust some myths regarding the same.?

?Effects of gadget use on children:

• Negatively affects a child’s brain on its functioning, causing attention deficit, cognitive delays, impaired learning, increased impulsivity, and decreased ability to self-regulate.
• More time in front of screens than playing outside might not burn the calories they eat, leading to obesity, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.
• Cellphones and other wireless devices are considered category 2B risks because of their radiation emission.
• Children who are addicted to computer games are more likely to confront and disobey their elders.
• Too much time on phones can hinder interaction and disrupt the normal communication skill development of children.
• Children who get addicted to playing on their phones or tablets miss out on the needed rest and have sleep deprivation.
• Gadgets halt a child’s development as there is no exposure to nature.
• Prolonged exposure to screens strains the eyes and can cause severe vision problems.

Helpline numbers:

• SHUT Clinic, NIMHANS: 9480829675