In the changing lifestyle, everyone, including children, spends more and more time on smartphones and social media. In fact, children are also spending a lot of their time on mobiles, tablets and computers. Because of this, addiction to social media, videos and online gaming is increasing. This has been revealed in the latest survey (2024) of local circles.

What came out in the survey?

This survey revealed that 66 percent of parents living in cities believe that their children aged 9 to 17 years have become addicted to social media, OTT and gaming. Due to this, problems like impatience, anger and lethargy are increasing in children. More than 70 thousand parents participated in this survey, in which responses came from 368 districts. It was found that 47% of children have daily screen time of 3 hours or more. At the same time, 10 percent children spend more than 6 hours on the screen. It is believed that this addiction started with online classes after the Corona epidemic and is still continuing. Children spend more time watching videos, playing games and on social media. Due to this the ability to concentrate is decreasing.

What came out in the survey?

• 58% parents said that children have become more angry.
• 49% said that children are becoming impatient.
• Lethargy increased in 49% children.
• Symptoms of depression were found in 42%.
• 30% children became hyperactive.

What do doctors say?

According to doctors, excessive screen time has a bad effect on the brain. This increases symptoms like lack of attention, impatience and ADHD. According to Dr. Sameer Malhotra, Head of Psychiatry at Max Hospital, New Delhi, screens release more dopamine hormone, which is addictive. Due to this, children become impatient in real life. They don’t pay attention and get angry. Apart from this, emotional problems due to screen addiction are increasing in children aged 9-17 years. Impatience affects studies and relationships. Also, too many screens impair sleep, which increases impatience.

There will be protection through these methods

• Limit screen time to 1-2 hours daily.
• Increase outdoor play, reading and family time.
• Parents themselves should use less screens.
• Give good sleep and healthy diet.
• If the problem is severe then meet a doctor or psychologist.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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In the world where today’s children are growing up, smartphones, tablets and internet have become a part of their everyday life. Earlier, children used to play outside in their free time, read books or sit and talk with the family. But now the meaning of entertainment has gradually been limited to the mobile screen. Especially short videos like Tik-Tok, Instagram reels and YouTube shorts have become so deeply included in the lives of children that they are not just a means of passing time, but have also started changing the thinking, habits and behavior of children.

These videos may seem fun and light-hearted to watch, but the dangers hidden behind them are gradually affecting the health and mental development of children. Parents often think that if the child is just watching videos on mobile, there will be no harm. But the real problem is not in watching the video, but in the habit of watching it continuously.

Why do short videos attract children so much?

Short videos are very short, fast and trend-related. These contain songs, jokes, stunts, shocking scenes and filters, which immediately grab the attention of children. As soon as one video ends, another one starts playing automatically. In this, the child does not get a chance to think or stop, he just keeps scrolling with his finger. The problem is that these apps were not made for children, but they are the ones who are using them the most. Many times children watch these videos alone, without any supervision, so they do not understand when a funny video turns into dangerous or wrong content.

bad effect on sleep

Today many children have made a habit of looking at mobile phones just before sleeping. The glowing screen in a dark room tires both the eyes and the mind. The bright light of mobile causes the sleep inducing hormone to work late. On top of that, the fast changes of the video do not allow the mind to calm down. The result is that children sleep late, do not get enough sleep and have trouble waking up in the morning. Lack of sleep directly affects the mood, studies and behavior of children. They become irritable and start getting angry over small things.

Ability to concentrate and control oneself is weak

Short videos are usually 15 to 90 seconds long. There is something new, sharp and shocking in every video. Due to this, children’s brain gradually becomes accustomed to constant new stimulation. When a child tries to read a book, do homework or concentrate on any one task, his mind quickly starts wandering. A 2023 analysis found that children who watch too many short videos reduce their ability to concentrate and their power of self-control begins to weaken, which is why children repeatedly say just one more video, but that one never ends.

increasing anxiety and social anxiety

Constantly watching the screen affects not only physical but also mental health. Recent studies have revealed that children and teenagers who watch short videos for a long time, have more problems like anxiety, restlessness, loneliness. This problem increases further due to poor sleep. When a child is unable to sleep properly, his mind remains heavy, he is not interested in studies and his communication with friends and family also reduces. Actually small children are more sensitive. Their brain is still developing. They learn quickly what they see and the effect is also quick. Due to the autoplay feature, as soon as one video ends, another starts. In such a situation, violent, scary, risky content may suddenly appear. Short videos do not contain full context. One moment there is laughter and the next moment there is fear or a sensitive scene. This change can be very confusing for children.

Government and schools are now becoming alert

The good thing is that now this problem is being taken seriously. In many countries, schools have been advised to teach digital security and online wisdom to children. In some schools, restrictions or limitations are being imposed on the use of mobile phones. Even at the international level, it is being demanded from social media platforms that there should be safe settings for children, proper age verification should be done and children should be protected from harmful content.

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Check out below Health Tools-
Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)

Calculate The Age Through Age Calculator