Earlier this week, the Health Department issued a consultation on mobile addiction, saying that children are increasingly concerned about excessive use. Considerative director of the chief physician, Dr. Achilles Mohan, said: “Excessive use of mobile devices is associated with a number of physical ailments, including eye tension, obesity, headaches, as well as neck and back pain. In addition, it disrupts the models of diet and sleep, contributing to many health problems. “Let’s delve into this (very) scary phenomenon and practical ways to resolve this …
Using a smartphone
In the last few years, smartphone users have seen exponential growth among children. Almost two -thirds of the children spend four or more hours on their phones daily. Many children even use their phones late in the evening (scrolling of death) with more than half children and adolescents who use smartphones after north at least three times a week. The average screen time for children and adolescents now exceeds 7 hours a day for school work.
This early and strong use is associated with increased anxiety and other mental health problems. In India, almost 90% of children aged 14-18 have a home smartphone. Children with low income tend to spend even more time on screens, sometimes almost 6 hours daily, because they are unlikely to have another form of fun.
As the excessive use of the smartphone is anxious
Here are the ways to make your baby feel anxious using your smartphoneFear to disappear (fomo): A constant chatter on social networks puts children in a state of permanent fomo. They want to be at every event or party.Sleep Violation: Using phones after the evening (and not only at night), it interferes with sleeping melatonin, a hormone that helps us rest. Poor sleep worsens the symptoms of anxiety.Social isolation: Children these days are limited to their home, with their screens. It removes them from their friends in the long run.Addiction and removal: Many children feel difficult or irritable when they cannot use their phones, showing signs of addiction.Negative social comparisons: Social media often show idealized images of other people’s life who can reduce self -esteem and increase anxiety. Most of them are not true, but children do not have emotional maturity to see through the facade.
Signs of anxiety and smartphone excessive use in children
Parents and teachers should watch out for these warning signsIncreased irritability, mood swings or sudden explosions of angerA shortened desire to engage in public activity or school workProblems of concentration or reduction of markComplaints of headaches, eye tension or neck painSleep problems such as falling asleep or frequent wakingPhysical concern or nervous habits such as constantly checking the phone
Loneliness and isolation
Studies show that teenagers spend 5 hours or more daily on devices by 71% more often show at risk factors compared to those using devices in just an hour.
Influence on the school
Excessive use of the phone does not affect mental health; It also hurts the success and social skills. Almost half of the students report that they were distracted by the phones in the class, often using them for non -academic events. In social terms, children who spend more time on phones tend to have less face interactions. About a third of teens talk more on the Internet than personally, and many are silently sitting on their phones, even when friends.
What parents can do to help
Parents play a key role in managing their children’s smartphones and reducing the risks of anxiety. Here are the practical steps:Set clear time restrictions on the screen: Encourage daily not more than 1-2 hours for rest and avoid phones at least 3-4 hours before bedtime. Not outside to an increase in terms when it is not very necessary (such as online research, etc.)Promoting in offline mode: Encourage outdoor game, sports, reading and hobbies that do not include screens.Create zones without your phone: Specify the time and places where phones are not allowed, for example, during eating or family time. Don’t use your phones at the time.Model Healthy Phone Use: Children learn while watching adults, so parents also have to limit their own use.Openly talk about the use of the phone: Discuss the consequences of excessive use and help children recognize when the phone time causes problems.Keep up the content and applications: Make sure children use applications that match age and avoid harmful or intense content. Block some sites on their phones if necessary.Encourage good sleep habits: Keep the phones in the bedroom at night to improve the quality of sleep.Contact the help of a specialist: If the symptoms of anxiety persist or deteriorate, consult a mental health specialist.
