Published on: July 22, 2025
HOW SCREENS AFFECT CHILDREN
HOW SCREENS AFFECT CHILDREN
- Screen addiction among children is rising, manifesting in slipping grades, social withdrawal, aggression, and mental health issues.
- AI-driven apps and increased smartphone availability have worsened screen dependency in adolescents, says cyber law expert Pavan Duggal.
- Warning signs include academic decline, isolation, reduced school participation, and behavioral changes.
- A JAMA study of 4,285 US children found screen addiction by age 14 triples the risk of suicidal ideation.
- Health impacts include spinal deformities, poor sleep, and anxiety, highlighting a strong correlation with prolonged screen time.
- Schools face a dilemma—phones aid digital learning but also fuel misuse and cyberbullying, as recalled in Springdales School.
- In Feb 2024, the Delhi High Court directed schools to regulate smartphone use without a full ban, suggesting safe deposit systems.
- Delhi’s Directorate of Education asked schools to draft smartphone usage policies; some schools now permit only basic phones.
- Student-led efforts like the Amity anti-bullying initiative reflect rising awareness of cyberbullying and mental health issues.
- Experts urge comprehensive digital literacy, parental monitoring, counseling, and policy-level interventions to balance tech use and child wellbeing.
- Countries like France have strict school phone bans, offering models for India’s evolving regulation.
