Mobile mania: Smartphones have become an undetachable part of our bodies. They are pocket-sized portals for information, entertainment, and connection. In India, this mobile revolution has extended to children as well. While smartphones can be valuable tools for learning and staying connected, excessive screen time can negatively impact a child’s development.

Smartphone addiction is a serious mental health issue that can affect any age or gender. Nearly three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, screen usage has increased exponentially, especially among children. According to a recent study published in JAMA Paediatrics, the average amount of time children spend staring at screens has risen 52 per cent since the beginning of the pandemic. Children learn early in life to engage in passive activities instead of actively engaging, which might affect brain growth adversely. The pressure to maintain a perfect online image, coupled with the fear of missing out (FOMO) and exposure to cyberbullying, can negatively affect a child’s self-esteem and emotional state.

Although there is not yet clear evidence that smartphones have a long-term adverse effect on the brain, health experts are concerned that excessive use can be harmful—especially to children whose brains are not fully developed.

Excessive use of mobile phones can negatively impact brain health and mental well-being in several ways, including: 

Addiction: Smartphones can be addictive, and addiction is linked to brain chemicals like dopamine. The games and apps are designed to be engaging and stimulating, triggering dopamine release in the brain, a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure. This creates a cycle where children crave the positive feelings associated with phone use, leading them to spend more and more time on their devices.

Anxiety and depression: Smartphone addiction can lead to isolation or loneliness. Face-to-face interactions are the best way to learn empathy, read facial expressions, and build friendships. Children glued to their phones miss out on these crucial social interactions. This can lead to depression and anxiety.

Sleep disruption: Frequent phone use, especially at night, can disrupt sleep. A good, sound sleep is necessary to rejuvenate the brain. 

Reduced attention and productivity: Too much phone use can lower attention span, impacting productivity at work or school, lower academic performance, and deteriorating memory.

Relationship stress: People may use their phones to connect with loved ones who are far away, which can contribute to relationship stress. 

Memory and cognitive skills: Excessive phone use can impact memory and cognitive and learning skills. For example, research has shown that smartphones may adversely affect cognition. Cognition is the process of acquiring and applying knowledge through thought, experiences, and the senses. A study in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Research found that cognitive capacity was significantly reduced whenever a smartphone was within reach, even when the phone was off.

With smartphones, you no longer need to memorise a phone number or find your way around town using a map—your smartphone does these things for you. Research shows this overreliance on your phone can lead to mental laziness.

1. It can lead to inappropriate social involvement. Unsupervised internet access can expose them to inappropriate content and online dangers.
2. The more time you spend looking at a screen, the less time you spend interacting in person with others. This makes it more difficult to establish interpersonal connections and strong relationships, which are essential for mental health and the health of the community at large.
3. Multitasking with smartphones, a common habit for many, can further impact cognitive development. The brain’s working memory, crucial for learning and processing information, is designed to handle one task at a time. Constantly switching between apps and notifications disrupts this process, making it harder for children to learn and remember new things. The notifications, games, and social media updates act as distractions, making it difficult for children to focus on schoolwork.
4. A study by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) reported a significant increase in nearsightedness (myopia) among children, potentially linked to excessive screen time. Nearsightedness is an eye condition in which people can view objects up close clearly, but things farther away appear blurry.
5. Experts warn of the potential withdrawal symptoms associated with smartphone addiction in children. These can include irritability, mood swings, and anxiety when they are unable to access their phones. This can disrupt their daily routines, making it difficult for them to participate in activities like playing outside, socializing with friends, and completing chores.
6. m. Obsessing with technology will distance you from nature.

Most of us do not yet know the mechanism behind the connection between cell phones and behavioural problems. The blue light emitted by phone screens suppresses the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. A study found that Indian children who spent over two hours daily on their phones experienced sleep disturbances like insomnia and irregular sleep schedules. Getting enough sleep is essential for a child’s physical and mental development, and disrupted sleep can lead to problems with learning, memory, and emotional regulation.

FEW TIPS:

Forgoing any use of technology is unrealistic, but it’s essential to set boundaries and time limits—your brain will thank you.  You don’t have to swear off your phone completely to improve your brain health. The important thing is to be aware of how you use your phone and other devices and to prioritise other activities and in-person interactions whenever possible.

1. Most smartphones allow you to track your average screen time hours. Pay attention to how much time you spend on screens.
2. Delete social media apps from the phones or download software that limits the time they’re permitted on a particular site. Others designate day hours as “phone-free” to protect family time. 
3. Trading screen time for reading a book or working on a hobby can be empowering.
4. To avoid harmful side effects of screen usage on the eyes, adults and children should practice “screen hygiene,” a set of best practices for using screens. To start, hold digital media at least 18 to 25 inches from your face. Practice the 20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look up from your device at something 20 feet ahead for 20 seconds. This relaxes your eyes.