‘Become a role model, put phone away’: Ghaziabad health dept’s advisory to parents to curb screen use in kids
Maintaining that the problem is not only limited to urban areas, the department said “every parent is troubled by their child's behaviour”.
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The Ghaziabad District Hospital will provide counselling to children every Monday.Unchecked screen time is not just harming children physically, but also affecting their emotional and psychological well-being, the Ghaziabad Health department said in an advisory issued on Tuesday to address an increase in behavioural problems faced by children due to cellphone overuse.
Maintaining that the problem is not only limited to urban areas, the department said “every parent is troubled by their child’s behaviour”.
Issued by Ghaziabad Chief Medical Officer Dr Akhilesh Mohan, the advisory read, “In today’s time, it is observed that behavioural problems are more prevalent in children of both rural and urban areas, and a major reason for this is mobile addiction. Initially, it remains less, but gradually it increases to an extent that it appears as a mental problem. In today’s time, almost every parent is troubled by their child’s behaviour.”
The advisory also included recommendations for parents – gradually reducing screen time, encouraging outdoor play, and engaging children in social activities.
“Parents are also advised to become a role model and use mobile phones less and utilise children’s time in social activities,” it added.
The advisory listed a range of physical, emotional and psychological ailments that may occur due to excessive use of mobile phones. The list includes eye strain, obesity, headaches, neck and back pain from prolonged sitting, and disruptions in sleeping and eating habits.
It added that addiction to mobile phones leads to anxiety, stress and irritability. “Children get irritated when they are stopped from using mobile phones and get angry. It also leads to a loss of interest in things that they previously enjoyed, fear of not receiving messages or important updates, becoming insensitive, leading to them being envious, introverted, stubborn, aggressive and developing violent tendencies,” the advisory stated.
The advisory comes in the wake of more and more parents raising concerns over behavioural changes in their children, said Dr Mohan. “One should make the most use of Tele Manas Helpline 14416 where one can get mental health help and counseling,” he added.
The Ghaziabad District Hospital will provide counselling to children every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Dr Mohan further said.
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