What are the recommended screen time limits for children?

Guidelines suggest no screen exposure for children under two (except video calls), less than one hour daily for ages two to four, and a maximum of two hours daily for those five and older.

How many children in the study showed signs of screen addiction?

Based on DSM-5 standards, 22.2% of the study participants met the criteria for screen media addiction.

What are the negative impacts of excessive screen use on children?

Excessive screen use can lead to obesity, sedentary behavior, poor diet, disrupted sleep, impaired language development, reduced executive functioning, and structural brain changes.

Home / Health / Beyond Games: India's Children's Screen Use Alarming

Beyond Games: India's Children's Screen Use Alarming

13 Mar

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Summary

Many Indian children exceed recommended screen time limits.
Screen addiction affects 22.2% of children in the study.
Excessive screen use harms physical and cognitive development.

Beyond Games: India's Children's Screen Use Alarming

New research published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry reveals that children and adolescents in India are significantly exceeding global screen time recommendations, leading to serious health and cognitive concerns. While digital devices can support learning, excessive use is increasingly linked to negative developmental outcomes.

The study examined 212 children and adolescents with an average age of 13. Findings showed that participants averaged 3.1 hours of daily screen time, with two-thirds exceeding limits established by the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics. These global standards advise no screen time for children under two, less than 1 hour for those aged 2 to 4, and a maximum of 2 hours for those 5 and older. Mobile phones and televisions were the most frequently used devices.