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Increasing use of screens and its effects

Nowadays, giving mobile phones to young children has become a common practice. Many parents give phones to their children to feed them, keep them quiet, or just to get some leisure time for themselves. But, a recent study conducted by AIIMS has highlighted the serious risks associated with this habit. Research has shown that children who are exposed to phones and screens from a very young age can have an impact on their learning abilities and an increased risk of problems like autism.

expert opinion

Dr. Shefali Gulati, head of the pediatric neurology department at AIIMS, says, “Children who spent more time in front of screens at the age of one year had more symptoms of autism at the age of three years.” This effect was more pronounced in boys, but there were signs of it in girls as well.

because of screen time

According to experts, the brain of young children develops rapidly in their early years. During this critical time, they need to communicate with their parents, understand facial expressions, and connect with their surroundings. When children are constantly lost in the phone screen, their social and mental development gets affected. According to Dr. Gulati, it is important for children to get complete attention from their parents. Children learn by observing their parents’ faces, voices, and behavior, and this mutual communication plays an important role in their mental development.

identification of autism

Autism is a condition in which a child’s brain does not understand social signals and language normally. Such children may find it difficult to socialize with others, communicate and understand emotions. Some children repeat the same actions over and over, while others appear lonely or ‘lost in their own world’. Many children may have trouble with loud noises or everyday changes.

identifying symptoms

Experts say that if a child does not respond to hearing his name, rolls his eyes, is delayed in speaking or shy away from playing with other children, then these symptoms should not be ignored. This condition can be improved with timely identification and proper support.

Tips for young children

AIIMS experts suggest that ‘screen time’ should be gradually reduced in young children. Children can become irritable due to sudden snatching of mobile. Most importantly, it is best to keep children under 18 months of age away from screens. Experts believe that parental support is more important for a child’s mental development; The more time a child spends in the real world and with his family, the better his mental and social development will be.