Are You Staying Close but Emotionally ‘Displacing’ Your Children?

Giving a phone or tablet to a small child who is upset or throwing a tantrum may seem like the easiest way to calm them down. However, a study by the University of California, Irvine, USA, has shown that this practice can negatively impact children’s self-control. Researchers from UC Irvine along with six other universities studied 210 families with children aged 9 to 30 months. According to lead researcher Stephanie M. Reich, “Frequent use of mobile phones and tablets by children can lead to behavioral problems in the future.” When children cry or are distressed, instead of comforting or engaging with them through conversation, they are distracted with screens such as phones or TVs. The researchers term this practice as ‘displacement.’ Over time, this can cause larger issues. Even though children are physically present with their parents, the researchers describe the screen-induced detachment as a form of displacement.

Medical professionals note several negative effects linked to increased screen time in children. These include difficulty focusing, falling behind academically, sleep disturbances, reduced sensitivity to aggression, increased obesity, and eye strain. Doctors also highlight that the addictive nature of reels, fast-forwarding, and short videos is causing a rapid rise in attention deficits, irritability, withdrawal from communication, and decreased interest in learning among children. The habit of watching long videos by fast-forwarding is changing children’s behavior, making them quick to impatience when they are expected to listen attentively.

Physicians advise parents to regulate children’s screen time based on age and need. Setting a positive example by limiting their own screen use is an effective way to combat this issue. Doctors recommend sitting together with children to engage in conversation and encouraging offline activities—time spent without mobile devices. Earlier, a comprehensive study by the renowned American health institution, Johns Hopkins Medicine, showed the serious mental and physical effects of screen time on children and adolescents. According to Dr. Jennifer Katzengold, Director of Psychology at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, excessive screen time seriously harms children’s mental health. Seeing others’ lifestyles on social media can make children feel inferior, increasing the risk of anxiety and depression. Prolonged use of gadgets while lying down on beds or floors puts pressure on the back and neck bones. Experts warn that poor posture from such habits can lead to chronic, non-healing neck pain in the future. Johns Hopkins experts recommend limiting children’s daily screen time to two hours or less. They stress the importance of keeping children completely away from screens during meals, homework, and at least one hour before bedtime. (With contributions from agencies)