Is your child addicted to the phone? The expert told how to reduce children’s dependence on smartphones

Struggling to limit your children’s smartphone usage? Concerned about their excessive screen time and its impact on their social interactions? You’re not alone. Smartphone addiction in children can lead to decreased social engagement and potential social isolation. To help address this issue, we reached out to expert Prof Dr Mahipal S Sachdev, who shared some strategies to break smartphone addiction.

Research published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation defines smartphone addiction as a behavioural addiction characterized by mood tolerance, salience, withdrawal, modification, conflict, and relapse.

Signs of smartphone addiction

• Recognizing signs of smartphone addiction in children is crucial for early intervention. These signs may include:

  1. Excessive use of mobile devices, spending long hours glued to screens.
  2. Feelings of withdrawal, such as anxiety or anger when the phone is not accessible.
  3. Neglecting responsibilities like homework, chores, or social interactions due to smartphone use.
  4. Interference with daily activities, where smartphone use takes precedence over other essential tasks.
  5. Waking up multiple times at night to check the phone, disrupting sleep patterns.
  6. Accidents or injuries occurring due to distracted phone usage, such as tripping or bumping into objects.

  If you observe these signs in your child, it’s essential to address smartphone addiction promptly to prevent further negative impacts on their well-being.

Impact of smartphone addiction

Smartphone addiction can adversely affect health in various ways, as highlighted by BMC Psychiatry:

1. Fatigue: Excessive smartphone use can lead to mental and physical exhaustion, contributing to fatigue.
2. Headaches: Prolonged screen time and eye strain from smartphone use may result in headaches.
3. Poor sleep quality: The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to poor sleep quality and insomnia.
4. Musculoskeletal pain: Holding phones for extended periods and poor posture while using them can cause musculoskeletal pain, such as neck or back pain.
5. Interpersonal competence: Excessive reliance on smartphones may impair social skills and interpersonal relationships, affecting competence in social interactions.
6. Emotional problems: Smartphone addiction may contribute to emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, or mood disturbances.

Additionally, children and teenagers excessively using smartphones face risks such as exposure to inappropriate content, online predators, and cyberbullying, as noted in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions. Moreover, smartphone addiction can negatively impact academic or professional performance, as well as overall physical and mental well-being.

The impact of smartphone addiction on eye health

Dr. Sachdev emphasizes that excessive screen time can lead to various eye-related issues, including digital eye strain, dry eyes, and blurred vision. Moreover, prolonged screen exposure, particularly at close distances, may contribute to the onset and advancement of myopia, especially in children.

To minimize these risks, it’s essential to manage screen time effectively. Taking regular breaks, ensuring adequate lighting, and maintaining an appropriate viewing distance from screens can help alleviate eye strain and mitigate the negative effects of excessive screen usage.

Tips on how to get rid of smartphone addiction

In the modern digital era, addressing smartphone addiction in children is crucial for their overall well-being. Dr. Sachdev suggests the following tips to help break this addiction:

1. Implement and consistently enforce restrictions on screen time to limit the amount of time spent on electronic devices.

2. Designate specific areas in the home, such as bedrooms and dining rooms, as tech-free zones to create boundaries for screen usage.

3. Remove electronic devices from the bedroom before bedtime to prevent sleep disturbances and promote better sleep hygiene.

4. Lead by example by demonstrating healthy screen habits and limiting your own smartphone usage in the presence of children.

5. Utilize parental control applications and features to monitor and regulate your child’s smartphone usage effectively.

6. Encourage participation in hobbies, sports, and outdoor activities to reduce reliance on digital devices. Provide engaging alternatives to screen time, such as reading, puzzles, or board games, to keep children entertained and occupied.

By implementing these strategies, parents can help their children develop healthier screen habits and reduce the negative impacts of smartphone addiction on their well-being.

What You Should Know

Progressing towards more responsible phone usage may involve occasional setbacks, adjustments, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms. It’s important to acknowledge that achieving perfection immediately is unrealistic. Instead, recognize that setbacks are part of the process and view them as opportunities for growth and learning. By approaching phone usage with patience and a willingness to adapt, individuals can gradually develop healthier habits and minimize the impact of smartphone addiction on their lives.