IT is common among parents these days to give digital devices to their children to keep them busy. This practice can have serious impacts, such as poor health, sleep problems, delayed learning, behavioural issues, weaker social skills, and exposure to harmful content.

According to a research, children who engage with screens for more than two hours a day are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. Another recent survey revealed that 89 per cent of parents give digital devices to keep their children engaged. Shockingly, 78pc of children claimed they could not imagine living without these digital gadgets.

In the modern world, digital devices are definitely a significant part of life. However, a prolonged exposure to them can cause mental and physical health issues. A human behaviour study found that children with too much screen time tended to have weaker face-to-face communication skills.

To prevent this ongoing problem, the government should introduce awareness programmes to educate the parents, and enforce stricter laws.

On their part, the parents need to set time limits, encourage outdoor activities, create a digital schedule, use parental control, set techfree zones, model healthy habits, and talk openly with their children.

Palwasha Qazi
Turbat

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2025