Early internet exposure on children is detrimental
Dr. Aftab Jan
In today’s world, the internet and mobile phones have reached every home, and sadly, even very small children are being exposed to screens daily. Many parents, just to make their babies quiet or stop crying, hand them a mobile phone to watch cartoons or songs.
At first, it feels like an easy solution, but in reality, it is a serious mistake that can damage the child’s brain, emotions, and future. A child’s brain develops fastest in the first five years of life, and during this time, children need real human interaction—eye contact, listening to natural voices, touch, movement, outdoor play, and bonding with parents.
But when they are given screens instead, their brain is overstimulated by fast lights, loud sounds, and quick-changing scenes, which confuses and harms natural brain wiring. Medical experts have warned that early screen exposure can lead to speech delay, attention problems, weak emotional control, poor social skills, increased anger, anxiety, sleep issues, and even signs like autism or ADHD.
Many children now show restlessness, lack of interest in books or outdoor play, and poor bonding with parents. Instead of learning real-life behavior, they copy virtual behavior. Their brain becomes addicted to fast visuals and can’t handle slow, normal situations like sitting in class or listening to someone talk.
One of the biggest reasons behind this problem is the behavior of parents. Many parents are themselves addicted to their phones. They spend hours scrolling; chatting, or watching videos, and children simply follow what they see. Children learn more from what we do than what we say.
When parents are always busy on phones, children feel ignored, unloved, or try to gain attention by copying the same habit. Also, instead of giving time, love, and physical presence to children, some parents use the mobile as a babysitter. They hand over the phone so the child stays quiet.
This may give relief to the parent for a short time, but it brings long-term damage to the child’s mental and emotional growth. Giving a mobile to a baby just to stop crying is like giving poison in a sweet form. Neurologists have confirmed that such babies may later face neurological disorders, delayed development, poor concentration, hyperactivity, and emotional imbalance.
As the child grows older, excess internet use continues to affect their overall health. School-going children who use mobiles for long hours often face memory issues, eye strain, obesity, back and neck pain due to poor posture, and disturbed sleep. Mentally, they become lazy, less interested in studies, and emotionally weak.
They may feel lonely, irritated, depressed, or get addicted to social media and online games. Teenagers especially face identity confusion, low confidence, social isolation, and mood swings.
Their spiritual interest also reduces, and they often lose interest in family, religion, and real-life goals. The harmful content on the internet exposes them to wrong ideas, violence, and negativity. This damages not just their mind but also their values and behavior.
Parents must understand that their children need them more than screens. No mobile video can replace the love, presence, and attention of a mother or father. Playing with children, talking to them, reading books, taking them for walks, or doing small activities together builds trust, language skills, and emotional strength.
Many of today’s problems in children are not because of children themselves, but because parents are too busy, stressed, or distracted. Parenting needs patience, time, and understanding—not shortcuts like mobile phones. WHO has clearly advised that children under two years should have no screen time at all, and children aged two to five should have a maximum of one hour a day—with guidance. Sadly, in most homes, this advice is ignored. We must open our eyes before it’s too late.
Schools should also take the lead in teaching digital discipline. Teachers must focus more on physical education, storytelling, creative arts, yoga, and team games. Society must understand that internet addiction is not just a modern lifestyle—it is silently destroying the emotional, mental, and spiritual roots of our future generation.
The government must regulate harmful content, and religious leaders should speak on this issue in sermons and community gatherings. It is not only the child’s responsibility to manage screen time—it is first the parent’s responsibility to model and guide wisely.
A mobile phone is not a toy. It is a powerful tool that can harm or help, depending on how we use it. If we continue to use it as a digital babysitter, we are risking the whole future of our children. Let us stop this silent damage.
Let us give our children time, love, and the right guidance. Childhood should be full of real joy, real play, and real relationships—not screens. Say yes to mindful parenting, and no to digital parenting.
A mobile cannot raise a child. Only a caring, present, and conscious parent can. It’s time we become that parent—before we lose our children to a world of noise, speed, and loneliness.
(The author is a columnist and a regular contributor to ‘Kashmir Vision’)
