2.2 hours per day: Screen time of Indian kids 2x safe limit, claims study

NEW DELHI: An average child under the age of 5 years in India spends close to 2.2 hours daily in front of screens, double the recommended limit, according to a new study.

The mean screen time for children under two years of age is 1.2 hours when most guidelines stipulate that it should be completely avoided, the study, published in a journal, Cureus, by Ashish Khobragade and M Swathi Shenoy from AIIMS Raipur, says.

The two carried out a meta-analysis of 10 studies comprising 2,857 children.

Increased screen time has been linked to slowed language development, decreased cognitive function and hampered social skill development, in addition to an increased risk of obesity, disturbed sleep habits and concentration issues, according to the study.

To mitigate the negative impacts of excessive screen time, the study says it is crucial to create tech-free zones in a house, set clear and consistent screen time limits, and actively participate in offline play and interactions.

Dr D K Gupta, a child specialist and chairman of Felix hospitals, said, "Nearly 60-70% children under 5 years are spending more time on screen - be it mobile phone, laptop or TV - than recommended. This is a reason for some serious physical and behavioural problems among them," he said, adding parents should limit their children's exposure to screens while feeding them or when they are crying.

"Parents should become role models for their children. They should, first, themselves reduce screen time at home," he added.

Recently, the chief medical officer of Ghaziabad in a unique exercise issued an advisory for parents to explain the physical, mental and behavioural health issues being seen among children who are addicted to mobile phones and suggested steps such as engaging children in outdoor and social activities to wean them off the devices.

Furthermore, promoting responsible digital citizenship from a young age can be achieved by setting a good example of screen habits and offering guidance on appropriate content.

"I get children as young as 10- to 12-year-olds who come with their parents complaining about restlessness if the parents try to monitor their use of the internet. They get irritated and often display aggressive behaviour," said a doctor.

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