Smartphone addiction is known to harm the eyesight of children under 10, but doctors warned on Saturday that too much time on the device could harm their physical health and lead to a range of behavioral problems. According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, children under the age of five should spend less time on screens.
Although the United Nations Health Organization does not recommend screen time for infants and 1-year-olds, children under 2 should have no more than an hour of exposure. However, “even one-and-a-half-year-old children are being given smart phones by their parents,” Pediatric Pulmonology, Pediatric Critical Care Unit (PICU), Pediatrics, Medanta Medicine, Gurugram, told IANS.
He said children who spend too much time on medical equipment suffer from “diarrhoea, fever and other health problems”. Several studies have shown the negative effects of smartphone use on the eyes. Prolonged use of smartphones in children has been linked to impaired vision and dry eyes, among other things.
Dr Vikas Taneja, pediatric consultant at Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, explained that this is mainly due to radiation when children use their mobile phones in close proximity.
“Excessive cell phone use can also affect the eye muscles and behavior changes, and can become angry.
Rajiv said that overuse often leads to disconnection from the real world, and that children can show virtual autism-like symptoms.
Importantly, visual impairments and attention deficits exacerbate these concerns, often being overlooked until academic performance suffers. To reduce this risk, health experts advise parents to prioritize quality time with their children, encourage healthy eating habits and limit screen time. In addition, technology should be balanced with outdoor activities and nutritious food to support the holistic development of children.
