NIMHANS study flags rising parental concern over children’s screen time

A recent study by researchers at the Services for Healthy Use of Technology (SHUT) Clinic at NIMHANS has highlighted growing parental concern over children’s screen time, linking excessive use to loss of control and negative effects on overall well-being.

Published in the Industrial Psychiatry Journal, the study- “Technology use and screen time among children: Parental concerns from a cross-sectional survey in India”- surveyed 424 parents of children up to 18 years, examining usage patterns and parental perceptions.

Behavioural concerns

The findings revealed that higher screen time is strongly associated with concerns such as children’s inability to regulate usage, excessive engagement with gaming and social media, and difficulties in responsible use. Parents also reported adverse effects on physical, psychological and social functioning.

“Parents are increasingly reporting difficulties in regulating their children’s technology use, especially when it begins to interfere with sleep, studies and daily routines,” said Rajesh Kumar, assistant professor of Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS and corresponding author.

Screen time was classified as high or low based on age-specific guidelines from global and Indian paediatric bodies. A significant proportion of children exceeded recommended limits, with higher exposure emerging as a key marker of parental concern.

Perceived loss of control was the most prominent issue, accounting for nearly half of responses. This included irritability when devices were removed and difficulty disengaging from screens. Other concerns included excessive gaming or social media use, inappropriate content exposure, and reduced attention span and academic performance, he said.

Patterns matter

Manoj Kumar Sharma, professor of Clinical Psychology and head of the SHUT Clinic, noted that problematic technology use is not defined by duration alone. “It is also about patterns such as loss of control, excessive engagement, and the extent to which it affects a child’s functioning,” he said.

The study also highlighted environmental influences. Children with access to multiple digital devices spent significantly more time on screens. Single-child households reported higher engagement, possibly reflecting greater reliance on digital media in the absence of sibling interaction, Dr. Sharma said.

With technology deeply embedded in daily life, children are exposed to screens from an early age. Devices such as smartphones, tablets and televisions are widely used for education, entertainment and behaviour management.

While digital tools can support learning and social interaction, excessive and poorly regulated use has been linked to sleep disturbances, reduced physical activity, attention problems, emotional dysregulation and peer relationship difficulties. Early, unregulated exposure may also affect language development, academic performance and social skills, he said.

Need for guidance

The researchers clarified that the study did not diagnose clinical addiction but captured parent-reported indicators that may signal emerging difficulties -important for early identification and prevention.

The parents expressed a clear need for support. More than half preferred practical, hands-on strategies to manage screen time, while others emphasised better communication, boundary-setting skills and improved digital literacy.

“There is a clear demand for structured guidance and skill-based interventions to help parents manage children’s technology use in a balanced, developmentally appropriate way,” Dr. Sharma said.

The findings underscore the need for parental psychoeducation and structured training programmes, particularly in low- and middle-income settings where formal guidance remains limited. Schools, paediatric services and community mental health systems could play a key role, Dr. Kumar added.

Call for further research

The researchers called for longitudinal studies and objective measures of screen use to better understand long-term impacts. They conclude that early, family-centred interventions and culturally relevant digital wellness frameworks will be essential to address rising patterns of excessive screen exposure among children.

Published – March 28, 2026 08:58 pm IST