Digital Dilemma: Children’s Digital Screen Time (GS Paper 4, Ethics)
Context
Reasons for the increase in children’s screen time:
- Role Modeling: Children mimic their parents, family, and peers.
- Educational and Recreational Needs: Mobile use surged during the COVID-19 pandemic for learning and entertainment.
- Working Parents: Mobile phones are often given to children for safety and communication.
- Accessibility: The widespread availability of smartphones, tablets, and computers has made screens more accessible than ever.
Health implications due to excessive screen time:
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Leads to obesity and cardiovascular issues.
- Sleep Disruption: Blue light affects sleep quality and duration.
- Eye Strain: Causes discomfort and vision problems.
- Behavioural Issues: Linked to attention deficits and impulsivity
- Cognitive ability and social skills: High screen time can hinder the development of important Cognitive, social and emotional skills, such as empathy.
- Cyber Bullying and Child Abuse: Incidents of bullying and abuse are rising. Young girls are more prone to them.
Recent initiatives in child well-being:
- WHO Guidelines: It recommends no screen time for babies under 2 years old, with limited screen time for those aged 2 to 4. Additionally, implementing parental controls and filters can help block access to unsuitable content and products, ensuring a healthier screen time experience for children.
- Manodarpan Initiative: Launched by the Ministry of Education, it provides psychosocial support to students for mental health and emotional well-being.
- CCPWC (Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children) Scheme: An initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs aimed at preventing cybercrime against women and children, ensuring a safe online environment.
Conclusion
- To mitigate risks, strategies include setting limits, promoting active screen use, creating screen-free zones, leading by example, and educating families.
- Balancing screen time with other activities is crucial for children’s holistic development.
