Mobile Addiction Fuels Health Issues Among Children

Excessive screen time is contributing to vision problems, hearing impairments, delayed speech, learning disabilities and mood swings, paediatricians at the Kurnool government general hospital and several private clinics say.

Hundreds of such cases are being reported annually. In some instances, children addicted to mobile phones have been involved in thefts and cyber-related crimes. Observation home superintendent Sk Hussain Basha notes that several juveniles brought in there had committed mobile phone thefts and other such crimes. “It’s hard to even separate regular thefts from mobile-linked thefts nowadays,” he says, adding that many children cannot eat or drink milk without a mobile phone in their hands.

Doctors say the breakdown of joint families and busy lifestyles have left children with limited social interaction. With fewer caregivers around, mobile phones have become the default companion for children. Bright visuals, cartoons and addictive games are drawing them in from the toddler stage.

Shockingly, many children under two-years-old operate mobile phones more efficiently than adults. Though parents often feel proud of this, the long-term impact, experts say, is alarming.

Health records show a steady rise in mobile-related ailments. At GGH and other hospitals, 455 cases were reported in 2020, 171 in 2021, 271 in 2022, 1,725 in 2023 and 949 in 2024. Among these, 2,575 cases of eye problems and 738 cases of expression-related problems were reported in children engaged in prolonged mobile phone use.

“Traditionally, children begin speaking basic words by age one and form sentences by age two. But now, even three-year-olds are facing delayed speech. Doctors warn that screen addiction is hindering children’s physical and mental growth. What began as a distraction to calm tantrums has evolved into a full-blown dependence, weakening family bonds and interpersonal communication,” says KM Sudhar, member of the child welfare committee here. Some children took extreme steps, including suicide, when denied personal mobile phones by their parents, he adds.

The Early Intervention Centre at GGH reports that children face mental development-related delays due to excessive screen exposure. The issues like poor socialization, learning challenges, and reduced attention spans have been cited. Long hours of screen-time also lead to obesity due to reduced physical activity and this suppresses melatonin — the hormone responsible for sleep — affecting rest and growth.

Paediatrician Dr A Srinivasa Rao advises parents to avoid using mobile phones as a “tool” to pacify children. “Instead, spend time with them — tell stories, sing, dance and play. That’s the only way to raise healthy, well-rounded children.”

Doctors strongly recommend limiting screen exposure, especially for children under two and reviving traditional learning methods and outdoor play for their healthy development.