Screen Time for Kids Under 5 in India Hits Alarming Levels, Study Warns
Screen Time for Kids Under 5 in India Hits Alarming Levels, Study Warns
New Delhi, July 9, 2025: Children under the age of five in India are spending an average of 2.2 hours daily on screens—twice the recommended limit—raising serious concerns about their physical and mental well-being, according to a new study.
The research, conducted by Ashish Khobragade and M Swathi Shenoy from AIIMS Raipur and published in the journal Cureus, analyzed data from 10 studies covering 2,857 children. Alarmingly, children under two years are exposed to screens for about 1.2 hours per day, despite guidelines advising complete avoidance at this age.
Experts warn that excessive screen exposure in early childhood is linked to delayed language development, reduced cognitive skills, poor social interactions, obesity, disturbed sleep patterns, and attention issues.
‘Parents Must Lead by Example’
Nearly 60-70% of children under five spend more time on screens—whether phones, laptops, or TVs—than is healthy. This leads to serious behavioural and physical problems. Parents must avoid using screens as a distraction while feeding or calming crying children. Parents should be role models and reduce their own screen time at home.
In Ghaziabad, the chief medical officer recently issued an advisory highlighting health issues linked to screen addiction in children and suggested steps such as encouraging outdoor play and social engagement.
To counteract these risks, experts recommend creating tech-free zones at home, setting consistent screen-time limits, and promoting active offline interactions to help children develop healthier habits.
