In today’s digitally driven world, screens are everywhere. From the smartphones in our pockets and the tablets our children might use, to the ever-present television in many Indian homes, these devices have become an integral part of our daily lives. They offer wonderful avenues for learning, entertainment, and staying connected with loved ones, especially those far away. However, as parents, we often find ourselves in a bit of a quandary, don’t we? We wonder: “How much screen time is too much for my young child? And how can we ensure that these glowing rectangles are helping their development, not hindering it?”
I am Dr. Santosh Madrewar, CEO, Founder, and a Senior Paediatrician at Borneo Hospital. With our dedicated mother and child care centres across Thane, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Raipur City, we have seen first-hand the evolving landscape of childhood. My team and I deeply understand the challenges modern parents face in Managing Screen Time. Our commitment at Borneo Hospital is to support you in nurturing your child’s holistic health and well-being, and that includes fostering a healthy relationship with technology. This guide aims to provide you with practical, evidence-based advice, moving beyond simply setting limits to understanding how to make screen use a more positive part of your child’s life, rather than a source of conflict or concern.
The Two Sides of the Screen: Understanding the Digital Landscape
It’s important to acknowledge that screens, when used mindfully, can offer certain benefits. Educational apps and programmes might introduce new concepts, interactive games can sometimes enhance problem-solving skills, and video calls are a wonderful way for children to connect with grandparents or other family members, especially in our geographically diverse country. The potential for learning and connection are undeniable.
However, the key, as with many things in life, lies in balance. The real challenge for parents is effectively Managing Screen Time to harness these potential benefits while safeguarding children from the risks associated with excessive or inappropriate use. It’s not just about the minutes spent in front of a screen, but also the quality of the content and the context in which it is viewed.
Why Thoughtful “Managing Screen Time” is Crucial: Potential Impacts of Excessive or Inappropriate Use
When screen time is not managed carefully, especially during the crucial early years of development, it can have several unintended consequences. Being aware of these potential impacts can help us appreciate why setting healthy boundaries is so important for our children.
- Physical Health Concerns:
One of the most significant concerns is the link between excessive screen time and a more sedentary lifestyle. When children spend many hours sitting with screens, they have less time for active play, which is vital for their physical growth and for preventing childhood obesity – a growing concern in India. Constant focus on screens can also lead to digital eye strain, manifesting as dry eyes, headaches, or blurred vision. Furthermore, the blue light emitted from screens, especially in the evening, can interfere with the body’s natural sleep hormone, melatonin, making it harder for children to fall asleep and reducing the quality of their rest. Over time, poor posture from hunching over devices also become an issue. - Cognitive and Language Development:
The early years are a period of explosive brain development. Children learn best through real-world interactions: talking, playing, exploring, and engaging with responsive caregivers. If passive screen time displaces these rich, interactive experiences, it can potentially delay language skills. While some educational programmes are beneficial, too much passive viewing does not offer the same give-and-take as a conversation with a parent or a play session with a friend. There’s also emerging research suggesting that excessive fast-paced screen content might impact a child’s ability to develop sustained attention and focus on slower, real-world tasks. Executive function skills, like planning and impulse control, develops through active engagement, not passive consumption. - Social and Emotional Development:
Learning to navigate social situations, understand emotions, and build relationships are skills honed through face-to-face interaction. If a significant portion of a child’s day is spent with screens, there are simply fewer opportunities to practise these vital social skills. They might find it harder to read non-verbal cues or engage in the co-operative play that teaches negotiation and empathy. Moreover, exposure to overly stimulating or emotionally charged content without parental guidance or context can sometimes lead to anxiety or emotional dysregulation. Many parents also notice increased irritability or tantrums when screens are removed, highlighting difficulties with self-regulation. - Impact on Play and Creativity:
Unstructured, imaginative play is the cornerstone of childhood creativity. It’s where children invent scenarios, solve problems, and explore their inner worlds. If screens become the default mode of entertainment, children may have fewer opportunities to engage in the kind of creative thinking that blossoms when they are left to their own devices – literally!
Expert Advice: What are Healthy Screen Time Limits?
When it comes to Managing Screen Time, parents often look for clear guidelines. Leading health organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), offer recommendations:
- Children younger than 18-24 months: For this very young age group, it’s generally best to avoid solo screen time altogether, with the exception of video-chatting with family members (like grandparents who may live far away – a common scenario in India). If you do choose to introduce screens from around 18 months, ensure it’s high-quality programming, and always watch with your child. Talking about what you’re seeing helps them make sense of it.
- Children 2 to 5 years: The recommendation is to limit screen use to around 1 hour per day of high-quality, educational programmes. Again, co-viewing is key. Watching with your child allows you to reinforce learning, discuss the content, and make it a shared experience.
- Children 6 years and older: For school-aged children, it’s about establishing consistent limits on both the time spent using screens and the types of media consumed. It is crucial that screen time does not displace adequate sleep (8-10 hours for this age group), physical activity (at least an hour a day), homework, family time, and other activities essential for their health and development.
It’s vital to remember that these are general guidelines. The quality of screen content, the context in which your child is using screens (are they learning, creating, or passively consuming?), and your individual child’s temperament and needs are equally important factors in Managing Screen Time effectively.
Practical Strategies for “Managing Screen Time” in Your Indian Home
Knowing the recommendations is one thing; implementing them in a busy Indian household, perhaps with joint family dynamics, can be another. Here are some practical strategies that can help:
- Creating a Family Media Use Plan: This doesn’t need to be overly rigid, but having a general agreement within the family about screen use is helpful. Discuss (in an age-appropriate way with older children) when, where, and for how long screens can be used. Consider what types of content are acceptable. Having everyone on the same page, including grandparents if they are involved in childcare, makes consistency easier.
- Establishing “Screen-Free” Times and Zones: These are crucial for ensuring screens don’t take over family life.
- Mealtimes: Make all family mealtimes completely screen-free. This is a golden opportunity for conversation and connection.
- Bedtime: Implement a “no screens” rule for at least one hour before bedtime for everyone, including adults! This allows the brain to wind down and promotes better sleep.
- Bedrooms: As far as possible, try to keep screens, especially televisions and tablets with internet access, out of children’s bedrooms. This helps reduce temptation and allows the bedroom to be a peaceful space for sleep and relaxation.
- Setting Clear and Consistent Limits: Children thrive on predictability. Use a timer (on your phone, or a simple kitchen timer) to help manage the duration of screen time. Giving a 5 or 10-minute warning before screen time is due to end can help ease the transition and reduce protests. Consistency is key; if rules are constantly changing, it’s confusing for children.
- Content is King: Choosing Quality Over Quantity: Focus on what your child is watching or playing, not just how long.
- The “Three C’s”: Consider the Content (Is it educational? Age-appropriate? Does it promote positive values like kindness and problem-solving?), the Context (Is your child interacting with it? Is it sparking curiosity or conversation? Or are they just passively staring?), and your individual Child (Their interests, temperament, and developmental stage).
- Co-Viewing Power: Whenever possible, sit with your child during their screen time, especially when they are younger. Ask questions, point things out, and connect what they’re seeing on screen to their real-life experiences. This transforms passive viewing into an active, shared learning opportunity.
- Identifying Good Content: Look for apps, games, and programmes that are interactive, encourage creativity, and have clear learning goals. There are many reputable websites that review children’s media. Avoid content that is overly fast-paced, violent, has too many advertisements, or encourages mindless tapping.
- Power Down and Play Up: Encouraging Alternative Activities: One of the best ways of Managing Screen Time is to make other activities more appealing!
- The Great Outdoors: Prioritise daily outdoor play. Whether it’s a visit to a local park, playing in a society compound, or even a safe balcony space, fresh air and physical activity are irreplaceable.
- Creative Pursuits: Keep a stock of simple art and craft supplies – crayons, plain paper, modelling clay (mitti), old newspapers for tearing and pasting. Building blocks, dabbas (boxes) for construction, and old clothes for dress-up also spark immense creativity.
- The Magic of Books: Cultivate a love for reading from a young age. Read to your child every day, even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes. Point to pictures, use expressive voices, and make it a special cuddle time.
- Family Time: Engage in traditional board games (Ludo, Snakes and Ladders are still favourites!), simple card games, puzzles, or cook simple things together. Storytelling, especially by grandparents, is a wonderful Indian tradition that fosters imagination and connection.
- Chores as Learning: Involve children in age-appropriate household tasks. Sorting laundry, setting the table, or watering plants can be learning experiences and make them feel like valued contributors.
- Lead by Example: Modelling Healthy Screen Habits: Children are great observers and imitators. If they see you constantly glued to your phone or TV, they will naturally assume that this is normal and desirable behaviour. Be mindful of your own screen habits. Put your phone away during family time, demonstrate that you enjoy screen-free hobbies, and engage in face-to-face conversations. Your actions speaks louder than words.
“But What About…?” Addressing Common Parental Challenges
Even with the best intentions, Managing Screen Time can present some tricky situations:
- Using Screens as a “Digital Babysitter”: We all have moments when we need to get something done, and a screen can seem like an easy solution. If you must use a screen to keep your child occupied for a short period, try to choose pre-selected, high-quality, and preferably educational content. But aim to have a toolkit of non-screen alternatives ready too – a special box of quiet toys, a colouring book, or a simple puzzle.
- The “All My Friends Have It/Do It” Pressure: This is a common refrain, especially as children get older. Acknowledge their feelings (“I understand you feel that way”), but gently and firmly reiterate your family’s values and rules around screen time. Focus on all the other fun things they can do, and try to facilitate social interactions that don’t solely revolve around screens.
- Balancing Educational Screen Time with Recreational Use: Many children, especially since recent times, use screens for online classes or educational apps. It’s important to differentiate this from recreational screen time. Have clear discussions about why these are different and ensure that educational use doesn’t blur into endless hours of entertainment. All screen use contributes to overall exposure.
- Differing Rules with Grandparents/Other Caregivers: This can be a sensitive issue, particularly in joint family setups. Have a calm, respectful conversation with other caregivers, including grandparents. Explain your reasons for wanting to manage screen time, share some of the information you’ve learned, and try to agree on some basic, consistent guidelines. A united front makes it easier for the child.
Managing Screen Time effectively is not about deprivation or being anti-technology. It’s about finding a healthy, sustainable balance that works for your family and supports your child’s overall development. It is an ongoing journey, one that requires patience, consistency, and open communication. By teaching our children to engage with technology mindfully and by ensuring they have a rich array of offline experiences, we empower them to thrive in this digital age.
As CEO and Founder of Borneo Hospital, I, Dr. Santosh Madrewar, along with my entire team, believe in empowering parents with the knowledge and support they need to raise healthy, happy, and well-developed children. Remember, you are your child’s first and most important guide in navigating the complexities of the world, including the digital one. Should you have any concerns about your child’s development or wish to discuss personalised strategies for your family, our paediatric experts at Borneo Hospital’s branches in Thane, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Raipur City are always here to help.
