Home / Education / 88% Back Digital Limits for Kids Under 18
88% Back Digital Limits for Kids Under 18
10 Mar
Summary
- 88% of school leaders, educators, and parents support digital usage guidelines for minors.
- A report found 74% of students spend over two hours daily on screens beyond academics.
- Concerns include reduced attention span, behavioral changes, and less physical activity.
A recent report, compiled from over 6.3 lakh responses, indicates overwhelming support for national guidelines to govern the unsupervised digital and social media engagement of children under 18. School leaders, educators, and parents overwhelmingly back such regulations, with 88% expressing strong endorsement.
The feedback report, submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlights significant screen time among students. It was found that 74% of respondents reported students spending over two hours daily on digital devices for non-academic purposes, while 21% noted usage exceeding four hours.
Educators have observed a direct impact on academic performance and student well-being. Approximately 69% reported reduced classroom attention spans due to prolonged screen exposure, and 63% noted negative behavioral or emotional changes, including irritability and anxiety.
Furthermore, 66% of respondents observed a decline in students' participation in physical activities and direct social interactions. The council has proposed a National Child Digital Safety Framework and advocated for regulated digital technology use in schools, alongside cyber-monitoring and parental oversight mechanisms.
Recommendations also include exploring restrictions on certain online platforms for minors and enhanced age-verification systems. The council emphasizes a gradual and balanced approach to implementing any new measures to prevent adverse reactions among adolescents.
