Screen Time and Its Effect on Kids: If your child also spends hours in front of the screen, then this news is shocking for you. In June 2025, AIIMS Raipur conducted a study. This is published in the Cureus journal. This study (Health Study) has revealed some shocking truths. Research found that children under the age of five in India spend an average of 2.22 hours on screen daily (Screen Time in Children). This time is double the time suggested by the WHO and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics. The most worrying thing is that children under two years of age are also spending 1.23 hours on screen daily. (Digital Addiction in Kids) While doctors recommend a complete screen time for this age.

Harmful Effects Of More Screen Time

Many researchers have found that

• Constantly watching the screen slows down development in young children. Especially the ability to speak and learn a language is affected.

• Staying on the screen for a long time increases the risk of myopia (nearsightedness).

• Children become more irritable. Sleep is disturbed, and the habit of interacting with others decreases.

• During the Corona epidemic, online classes and parents' work from home have increased children's screen time even more.

How to protect children's eyes and health (How To Protect Kids Eyes)

According to the study, parents can reduce children's screen time with these easy measures:

1. Create a no-screen zone - like do not allow bringing a mobile to the dining table and bedroom.

2. Do not use a mobile while eating, so that children also adopt this habit.

3. Adopt the 20-20-20 rule - after every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

4. Use blue light filter glasses, so that there is less effect on the eyes.

5. Work in good lighting; do not let direct bright light or sunlight fall on the screen.

6. Adopt good habits yourself - If parents use limited screen time, children will also learn.

7. Promote offline games and studies - read books, involve children in outdoor or indoor games.

8. Spread awareness - Schools, doctors, and parents should work together to inculcate healthy screen habits in children.

A regular eye check-up is essential.

As the screen time of children is increasing, regular eye check-ups are also necessary. Schools and parents should jointly organize eye checkup camps for children. So that myopia, dry eye, and vision problems can be treated in time.

What is the 30 30 30 rule for screen time?

Here are 4 suggestions, which every parent should teach their children and follow themselves. 30 x 30 x 30 rule: Every 30 minutes, take your eyes off the screen for 30 seconds and focus on something at least 30 feet away. This technique helps to keep the eyes moisturized and resets your focusing mechanism. This prevents the child's vision from getting damaged.

New Thinking in the Digital Era

Now, just restricting screen time is not enough. We have to spread awareness among children about digital literacy, right screen habits, and eye care.

In the future, when smart classrooms and digital learning will become common, it will be necessary to teach healthy digital practices to children in schools themselves. Only parents, teachers, doctors, and policy makers can together create a screen-smart generation. A generation that moves forward in the digital world but with a sharp mind and healthy eyes.

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