Why Kids Can’t Handle Screens And What Indian Parents Must Do Now
Charu Sharma | Jul 16, 2025, 17:08 IST
Highlight of the story: Are you also wondering how you can keep your kids away from screen? This article examines the ways in which parents can support their children's early development of healthy screen habits. The article provides useful, scientifically supported methods for striking a balance between screen time and avoiding power struggles in a world where digital exposure starts as early as walking. It's a manual for creating a thoughtful, tech-positive family environment that promotes a child's wellbeing, from establishing early boundaries and modelling behaviour to providing offline alternatives and transforming screen time into shared experiences.
In a time when preteens practically live on YouTube and toddlers swipe before they speak, controlling screen time has become as one of the most important parenting issues. Although screens provide convenience, education, and even a means of connection and , excessive use of them can subtly harm a child's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The effects, which could be anything from delayed speech to disturbed sleep, are real, but so are the cures. Instead of banning screens, the objective is to assist children in developing healthy digital relationships that could help them in their overall development. Here are some tips for parents on how to incorporate good tech habits in their kids before screen time turns into chaos.
Children tend to adapt to patterns quickly. That’s why it’s extremely important to introduce screen boundaries before devices become a usual and default part of their routine. Limiting screen use for toddlers (as per the WHO, no screen time under 2 years) helps your child to grow their attention spans and preserve the real world sensory development.
What you can do :
~ Make some tech-free zones like dining area and bedrooms
~ Set specific times for screen (eg: 30 minutes after lunch)
~ Tell them early that screens could be harmful
Kids often do what they see. They don’t just hear what you say-they see what you do. If you're always scrolling and using your phone while talking to them, they’ll copy the same pattern. Healthy tech habits begin with adults and parents also showing a digital discipline.
What you can do :
~ Keep your phone away during the family time
~ Talk about how you use screens (for learning, not mindless scrolling)
~ Show some restraint in replying to notifications instantly-teach them tech doesn’t rule life.
What you can do :
~ Introduce them to DIY crafts, puzzles, outdoor games, cooking activities, or board games
~ Try “tech-free Sundays” with nature walks or storytelling
~ Involve them in mini daily chores to develop responsibility and keep them busy
Help children use screens purposefully-for learning, creativity, or connection instead of making the screens into villains infront of the children's eyes. Children can become smart teachers instead than compulsive and addicted consumers if they are taught to think critically.
What you can do :
~ Co-watch educational content and talk about it together
~ Introduce beginner coding or video-making tools for older kids
~ Teach them how to differentiate between advertisements and real content
Isolating screen time for kids increases the risk of exposure to inappropriate content and decreases the emotional bonding between the family. Shared screen experiences help parents monitor what their kids are watching and create a perfect space for family conversations.
What you can do :
~ Watch cartoons or movies together, ask open-ended questions afterwards
~ Ask kids to explain what they’re playing or watching
~ Keep devices in common areas instead of bedrooms
So in conclusion :
The essential method for developing digital responsibility in children does not depend on complete screen prohibition or continuous disputes but instead requires purposeful parenting. Children develop positive digital habits through your establishment of adaptable restrictions together with meaningful activities and personal demonstration of balanced use of technology. Screens exist permanently throughout contemporary society yet your child will learn to utilize them effectively when you establish appropriate parenting principles.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) :
Can screen time affect a child’s speech development?
Yes, excessive passive screen time may delay language skills.Does screen time impact kids’ physical health too?
Yes, it can cause eye strain, poor posture, and inactivity.Should kids have their own phones or tablets?
Delay personal devices as long as possible; use shared screens instead.Are educational apps safe for unsupervised use?
Not always but some have ads or poor content quality; supervise use.
1. Start Early: Set boundaries before screens become habits
Parent taking away phone
( Image credit : Freepik )
Children tend to adapt to patterns quickly. That’s why it’s extremely important to introduce screen boundaries before devices become a usual and default part of their routine. Limiting screen use for toddlers (as per the WHO, no screen time under 2 years) helps your child to grow their attention spans and preserve the real world sensory development.
What you can do :
~ Make some tech-free zones like dining area and bedrooms
~ Set specific times for screen (eg: 30 minutes after lunch)
~ Tell them early that screens could be harmful
2. Model What You Want Them to Mirror
Parent and child reading
( Image credit : Pexels )
Kids often do what they see. They don’t just hear what you say-they see what you do. If you're always scrolling and using your phone while talking to them, they’ll copy the same pattern. Healthy tech habits begin with adults and parents also showing a digital discipline.
What you can do :
~ Keep your phone away during the family time
~ Talk about how you use screens (for learning, not mindless scrolling)
~ Show some restraint in replying to notifications instantly-teach them tech doesn’t rule life.
3. Don’t just restrict, replace : Create offline alternatives
Offline alternates
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
What you can do :
~ Introduce them to DIY crafts, puzzles, outdoor games, cooking activities, or board games
~ Try “tech-free Sundays” with nature walks or storytelling
~ Involve them in mini daily chores to develop responsibility and keep them busy
4. Teach tech, Don’t fear it: Use screens with a purpose
Using tech effectively
( Image credit : Pexels )
Help children use screens purposefully-for learning, creativity, or connection instead of making the screens into villains infront of the children's eyes. Children can become smart teachers instead than compulsive and addicted consumers if they are taught to think critically.
What you can do :
~ Co-watch educational content and talk about it together
~ Introduce beginner coding or video-making tools for older kids
~ Teach them how to differentiate between advertisements and real content
5. Make Screen time a shared experience, not an isolated one
Family watching TV togeth
( Image credit : Pexels )
Isolating screen time for kids increases the risk of exposure to inappropriate content and decreases the emotional bonding between the family. Shared screen experiences help parents monitor what their kids are watching and create a perfect space for family conversations.
What you can do :
~ Watch cartoons or movies together, ask open-ended questions afterwards
~ Ask kids to explain what they’re playing or watching
~ Keep devices in common areas instead of bedrooms
So in conclusion :
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) :
Can screen time affect a child’s speech development?
Yes, excessive passive screen time may delay language skills.Does screen time impact kids’ physical health too?
Yes, it can cause eye strain, poor posture, and inactivity.Should kids have their own phones or tablets?
Delay personal devices as long as possible; use shared screens instead.Are educational apps safe for unsupervised use?
Not always but some have ads or poor content quality; supervise use.