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Screens Steal Childhood Playtime: Experts Warn
22 Sep
Summary
- Preschoolers average 2.7 hours of screen time daily.
- Childhood play is crucial for learning social skills.
- Bachpan Manao campaign promotes 'Less Screen, More Play'.
Young children in India are spending significantly more time on screens than recommended, with preschoolers averaging 2.7 hours daily. This excessive screen usage, particularly when devices are used during feeding, displaces crucial unstructured play essential for developing social negotiation and problem-solving skills. Parents often lack clear guidance on setting limits, leading to screens filling a vacuum rather than being a deliberate choice.
Recognizing this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has advocated for substitution with sports and creative work, emphasizing the importance of play. The Bachpan Manao campaign, launched in September 2023, addresses this by inviting adults to prioritize childhood development in the first eight years. It advocates for a 'Less Screen, More Play' approach, focusing on a gradual shift rather than strict bans, and has garnered over 75,000 pledges.
The campaign's second year, under the banner 'Bachpan is Gr8,' expands its focus to eight wonders of childhood, including creativity, nature, and importantly, quiet time. This emphasizes the value of stillness and introspection for children. The initiative underscores that addressing screen time issues requires a societal shift, encouraging adults to consciously reclaim time for play and genuine engagement, rather than relying on screens for passive calm.
