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‘It’s like giving a child cocaine’: Dia Mirza opens up about her stepdaughter Samaira’s struggle with phone addiction; how screen time is rewiring young minds

“It is terrifying to see children being made up or put in provocative situations for the sake of views or content,” said Dia Mirza

Dia Mirza on her stepdaughter's phone addiction (Source: Instagram/Dia Mirza)

The growing dependence on smartphones among teenagers is raising serious concerns among parents, educators, and mental health professionals. Actor and mother Dia Mirza recently spoke about this challenge during her appearance on Janice Sequeira’s The Healing Circle, where she discussed her family’s struggle to help her 16-year-old stepdaughter overcome phone addiction. “She (Samaira) was spending eight hours a day on her phone. We’re now trying to reverse that, but it’s been an incredibly difficult journey,” Dia shared, highlighting just how consuming screen time can become in a young person’s life.

Dia, who is raising her four-year-old son Avyaan and shares a close bond with 16-year-old Samaira — her husband Vaibhav Rekhi’s daughter from a previous marriage — emphasised how screen addiction is not just a behavioural concern but a deep emotional and neurological one. “Screen content, especially that created for children, is like a dopamine addiction. It’s like giving a child cocaine,” she said. “It is terrifying to see children being made up or put in provocative situations for the sake of views or content. The rise in child exploitation and abuse, including child pornography, is deeply concerning, which is why some countries have banned children under 16 from using social media.”

Early signs that screen use is becoming an addiction and intervention strategies

According to psychologists Anjali Gursahaney some early signs of screen addiction in children/teens include “irritability or anxiety when not allowed access to devices, lying about screen time or hiding usage, neglecting responsibilities (homework, hygiene, chores), withdrawal from offline activities or relationships, using screens to cope with boredom, sadness, or anger as well as sleep disturbances due to late-night use.”

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A post shared by Dia Mirza Rekhi (@diamirzaofficial)

She suggests the following Intervention strategies that reduce resistance:

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Co-create digital boundaries: Instead of imposing rules, involve the child in setting reasonable limits.
Introduce tech-free zones/times (e.g., bedrooms, meals).
Offer engaging offline alternatives: Sports, creative arts, nature, or in-person peer activities.
Model balanced behaviour: Parents should also reduce their screen use.
Focus on “what’s gained” not just “what’s lost”: Highlight how better sleep, focus, or friendships improve when screen time reduces.
Use compassionate conversations: Avoid blame. Try statements like, “I notice you seem more tired lately — do you think your phone use is affecting your sleep?”

What safeguards should parents place to protect kids from exploitative or harmful digital spaces?

Gursahaney stresses, “Parents must go beyond screen-time limits to protect children from predatory and exploitative digital environments. They can use parental controls and filters on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok. Ensure you educate children about digital consent and body autonomy—don’t just say ‘don’t post,’ explain why.”

Another strategy is to ensure all accounts are private, the location is off, and personal details are never shared. Build trust so kids come to parents when something feels wrong online. Avoid early exposure to social media.

Gursahaney stresses, “Avoid shaming and focus on empowerment. The internet is powerful, but not everyone on it is safe. Let’s learn how to protect ourselves and still have fun.”

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