Smartphones replacing childhood before children learn to live: Psychiatrist

Srinagar, Jul 18: Amid growing concerns over children’s increasing dependence on smartphones, psychiatrist Dr Mohd Abrar Guroo at IMHANS Srinagar has cautioned that children are being exposed to digital devices long before they develop the emotional, social and cognitive skills needed to navigate life. He warned that the trend is taking a visible toll on their mental health and overall development.
Drawing from his clinical experience, Dr Guroo, said a worrying pattern has emerged among children and adolescents visiting psychiatric clinics. He noted that many parents now report their children have become impatient, easily distracted, emotionally reactive and unable to stay away from their mobile phones, while teachers increasingly speak of declining attention spans, poor classroom engagement and reduced academic focus.
“These are no longer isolated observations but signs of a broader behavioural shift linked to excessive digital exposure. A child’s brain is designed to develop through play, conversations, reading, outdoor activities and even moments of boredom. Today, boredom is instantly replaced by a screen. Continuous exposure to short-form videos, online games and social media conditions the brain to seek immediate gratification, making it increasingly difficult for children to concentrate, wait patiently or cope with frustration,” he said.
Dr Guroo pointed out that India, home to the world’s largest child population with nearly one in four citizens below the age of 18, is already witnessing the psychological consequences of uncontrolled smartphone use among young people.
He referred to findings from Indian studies, including a systematic review by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), which found that problematic mobile phone use among children and adolescents is consistently associated with anxiety, emotional and behavioural difficulties, poor sleep and impaired academic functioning. Earlier studies have estimated that nearly 39 to 44 per cent of adolescents display features of problematic smartphone use.
The psychiatrist said the concern is equally relevant in Kashmir, where research has reported high levels of smartphone and internet use among school-going adolescents. “Studies from the Valley have linked problematic smartphone use with poor sleep quality, anxiety, depressive symptoms, reduced concentration and declining academic performance. These findings closely reflect what mental health professionals are witnessing in clinical practice,” he observed.
Dr Guroo, however, stressed that simply asking parents to reduce children’s screen time is neither practical nor sufficient.
“Smartphones have become deeply integrated into education, communication, and even parenting. Many parents hand over phones because they are working, live in nuclear families or fear their children will be left behind socially or academically. Therefore, the solution cannot rest solely with families,” he said.
Calling for a coordinated national response, he urged the government to formulate evidence-based guidelines on children’s digital use, introduce age-appropriate regulations for social media platforms, enforce smartphone-free classrooms during teaching hours and incorporate digital well-being into school curricula.
He also called on technology companies to take greater responsibility by strengthening age verification systems, improving parental control features and limiting addictive design elements such as autoplay and endless scrolling for children.
Addressing parents directly, Dr Guroo advised them to focus on creating healthy digital routines rather than relying on punishment.
He recommended delaying the introduction of personal smartphones for children for as long as possible, keeping phones away during meals, study time and at least one hour before bedtime, while encouraging sports, reading, outdoor play and hobbies.
“Children imitate what they see. The most effective parental control is a parent who demonstrates healthy digital habits,” he said.
Concluding his message, Dr Guroo acknowledged that technology is an inseparable part of modern life but emphasised that childhood should not be sacrificed for convenience.
“Technology is here to stay, and children must certainly learn how to use it. But before we teach them to navigate the digital world, we must first teach them how to live in the real one. The real question is not whether children should use smartphones, but whether we, as parents, educators, policymakers and society, dare to place childhood before convenience,” he said. (KNO)