Catch them young: Digital addiction sinks its hooks in kids

Bengaluru

In recent years, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, digital addiction among young children has increased rapidly, causing concern among parents and educators. According to a 2024 survey conducted by smart parenting solutions company Baatu Tech, 60 per cent of children between the ages of 5 and 16 show signs of potential digital addiction.

Likhitha Ashirwad, a parent of a five-year-old, said, “When I take the phone away from my daughter, she throws tantrums, putting me in a difficult situation and leaving me feeling helpless.” The growing dependence on digital devices has led parents to observe significant health and social issues. They report a widening communication gap with their children and express concerns about obesity, eye strain and a lack of physical activity.
In many households, adults appear frustrated and deeply concerned, viewing the issue as generational, as children in middle childhood and early adolescence seem increasingly dependent on their devices.

“I have not seen my thirteen-year-old use the phone excessively. She is aware of the consequences of mobile addiction and social media. She probably uses it for about one hour a day for Snapchat and assignments,” said another parent, Mythreye. She added that assignments are still given manually at her daughter’s school, which promotes healthier academic engagement. Having faced these challenges, she suggested solutions such as playing board games, encouraging outdoor activities, travelling together and strengthening family bonds to reduce screen dependency.

Makes children introverts
“In the socio-cultural context, families have become less connected as more time is spent on electronic gadgets, leading to a significant decline in communication between parents and children,” said Dr Manoj Sharma, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and Coordinator of the SHUT Clinic.

Highlighting the changing dynamics of family relationships in the post-COVID period, he said excessive dependence on digital devices has altered the way children interact with their parents and peers. He observed that prolonged screen time has reduced meaningful conversations within households, weakening emotional bonds and affecting children’s social development.

Explaining the factors behind children’s growing preference for technology, Dr Sharma pointed out that lifestyle patterns, easy access to electronic gadgets and peer influence play a major role in shaping digital habits. He further noted that temperament also influences technology use. Children who are introverted, insecure or seek constant validation are more likely to turn to social media platforms for emotional comfort and reassurance, which may limit the development of interpersonal skills.

The pressure to fit in and gain social acceptance often encourages children to spend more time online. He pointed out that restricting technology use among children who are highly dependent on it could lead to emotional distress, behavioural changes and occasional outbursts. “For many children, digital engagement is a pleasurable activity, and sudden withdrawal can be difficult for them to cope with,” he explained.

Highlighting social isolation as a growing concern, he said it was earlier observed mainly among individuals with psychiatric conditions such as depression but has now become increasingly common among children. “Many children prefer the virtual world over real-life social interactions,” he observed.