Mobile Addiction Concerns: 4-Year-Old speaks Japanese and Chinese from reel watching

Young Child Speaks Japanese and Chinese from Mobile Reel Watching, Raises Concerns

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In the era of ubiquitous smartphones, concerns are mounting over the impact of mobile addiction on children, with a startling case emerging from Jabalpur. A four-year-old, exposed to prolonged screen time through mobile phones, has started speaking in Japanese and Chinese, languages unfamiliar to his Hindi-speaking parents.

The child’s parents enlisted the help of a caretaker who, in an attempt to pacify the child, provided a mobile phone during moments of distress. 

The child, now four years old, spent six to seven hours daily watching reels on the device. Shockingly, the child began speaking in Japanese and Chinese like the characters in the reels, leaving the parents perplexed.

This case sheds light on the potential risks associated with excessive screen time, linking it to language development issues and an increased likelihood of autism. A psychiatrist points out that extended exposure to screens, particularly mobiles and TVs, poses a risk to children under seven years, hindering the development of their mother tongue. Such children tend to mimic languages heard and seen on screens, raising concerns about language acquisition.

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The child is currently undergoing treatment at the medical college hospital in Jabalpur, emphasizing the urgent need for parents to manage and limit their children’s screen time. 

Medical experts advise against providing mobile phones to young children and advocate for alternative engagement methods, such as interactive play, storytelling in their native language, and singing songs. Reducing screen time emerges as a crucial step in safeguarding children’s language development and overall well-being.

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