The Growing Menace of Mobile Addiction in Children

 

The Growing Menace of Mobile Addiction in Children

Recently, I paid a visit to a close relative in Patna and was taken aback by what I witnessed. Their seven-year-old twins, both in Class II, were completely engrossed in their mobile phones. They didn’t even acknowledge my presence until their mother insisted, and even then, they did so without making eye contact—still glued to their screens.

Both parents, being busy legal professionals, struggle to spend quality time with their children. Their solution to keep the kids engaged? Handing them mobile phones. The result: a dependency so deep that the children now find it impossible to be without their devices. The boy fights tooth and nail to get his phone back if taken away, while the girl resorts to silent protests—refusing to talk or eat.

This excessive screen time has already taken a toll on their health. Both children now require powerful prescription glasses at such a tender age. Instead of running in parks, playing outdoor games, and engaging in physical activities, they remain glued to their devices—posing serious health risks.

The Hidden Dangers of Mobile Addiction

🔹 Physical Health Risks

• Excessive screen time leads to poor eyesight, insomnia, and obesity.
• Lack of physical activity weakens muscles and overall fitness.
• Sitting in unnatural postures for extended periods can harm their spine.

🔹 Mental Health Concerns

• Constant digital stimuli make it hard for children to focus and concentrate.
• Mobile phone radiation may have adverse effects on brain development.
• Excessive screen time reduces real-life social interactions.
• Prolonged exposure leads to digital fatigue and aversion to meaningful learning.

🔹 Academic & Social Impact

• Children glued to mobile screens often struggle in academics.
• Overindulgence in entertainment content stunts cognitive development.
• Reduced outdoor play hampers creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

What Can Parents Do?

✅ Set time limits for mobile usage.
✅ Encourage outdoor activities—take them to parks, play with them.
✅ Engage them in creative hobbies like reading, painting, or music.
✅ Ensure they get enough physical exercise to promote better sleep.
✅ Be mindful of their emotional well-being—support and communicate with them.

The Dark Side: Mobile Phones and Suicidal Tendencies

The addiction to mobile phones has also led to alarming cases of suicides among children and teenagers. A few tragic incidents include:

📍 A 21-year-old girl in Ranchi ended her life after being restricted from using her mobile phone to talk to her boyfriend.
📍 A 19-year-old student in Jharkhand committed suicide after being harassed for using a tablet at her hostel.
📍 A young boy in Ranchi took his own life by jumping into Chadri Talab because his father refused to buy him a mobile phone.

These heartbreaking incidents highlight the serious emotional dependency that children are developing on mobile devices. Parents today face a dilemma—how to discipline their children without pushing them towards extreme actions.

Final Thoughts

Mobile phones, while useful, have become a dangerous addiction for children. Parents and guardians must take a balanced approach—allowing limited usage while ensuring children remain physically and mentally active. The key lies in moderation, engagement, and mindful parenting.

📸 In pictures: Children wearing glasses, glued to mobile screens.

📍 Text & Photos by: Ashok Karan
📍 Follow for more: ashokkaran.blogspot.com

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