Uncontrolled screen time harms children’s health and education

Experts warn that excessive use of smartphones, tablets, computers and televisions by children can lead to a range of problems. Prolonged screen exposure is linked to psychological issues such as anxiety and reduced social interaction, physical concerns including obesity or severe weight loss, and behavioral disorders. It also undermines academic performance, as children struggle to adapt to school routines when they spend large amounts of time online.

The specialists stress that parents must closely monitor the duration, content and context of their children’s digital activities. They recommend setting clear limits, modeling balanced device use themselves, and encouraging offline activities that promote social and physical development. Failure to intervene, they say, may result in what is now being described as an “internet addiction” that affects a child’s wellbeing and future prospects.