NIMHANS study flags rising parental concern over children’s screen time
A recent study by researchers at the Healthy Use of Technology Services (SHUT) Clinic at NIMHANS revealed growing parental concern about children’s screen time and linked excessive use to loss of control and negative effects on overall well-being.
The study, “Technology use and screen time in children: Parental concerns from a cross-sectional survey in India,” published in the Journal of Industrial Psychiatry, surveyed 424 parents of children up to age 18, examining usage patterns and parental perceptions.
behavioral concerns
The findings revealed that higher screen time was strongly associated with concerns such as children’s inability to regulate use, over-involvement in gaming and social media, and difficulties in responsible use. Parents also reported negative effects on physical, psychological, and social functioning.
“Parents are increasingly reporting difficulty regulating their children’s technology use, especially when it begins to interfere with sleep, study, and daily routines,” said corresponding author Rajesh Kumar, assistant professor of Clinical Psychology at NIMHANS.
Screen time was classified as high or low according to age-specific guidelines of global and Indian pediatric institutions. A significant proportion of children exceeded recommended limits; higher exposure emerged as a significant predictor of parental involvement.
Perceived loss of control was the most prominent issue, accounting for nearly half of the responses. This included irritability when removing devices and difficulty separating from screens. Other concerns include excessive gaming or social media use, exposure to inappropriate content, and declining attention span and academic performance, he said.
Patterns are important
Manoj Kumar Sharma, professor of Clinical Psychology and head of the SHUT Clinic, noted that problematic technology use is not defined by duration alone. “This also relates to patterns such as loss of control, overpreoccupation, and the extent to which this impacts the child’s functioning,” he said.
Environmental impacts were also highlighted in the research. Children who have access to multiple digital devices spend much more time on screens. Dr. One-child households reported higher engagement, possibly reflecting greater reliance on digital media in the absence of sibling interaction, Sharma said.
As technology has become 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 behavior management purposes.
While digital tools can support learning and social interaction, excessive and poorly regulated use has been associated with sleep disturbances, reduced physical activity, attention problems, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties with peer relationships. Early, unregulated exposure can also affect language development, academic performance and social skills, he said.
Guidance is needed
The researchers explained that the study did not clinically diagnose addiction, but captured parent-reported indicators that may point to emerging difficulties, which is important for early detection and prevention.
Parents clearly stated that they needed support. More than half preferred practical, hands-on strategies for managing screen time, while others emphasized better communication, limit-setting skills and improved digital literacy.
Dr. “There is a clear demand for structured guidance and skills-based interventions to help parents manage their children’s technology use in a balanced and developmentally appropriate way,” said Sharma.
The findings underscore the need for parental psychoeducation and structured educational programs, especially in low- and middle-income settings where formal guidance is limited. Dr. Kumar added that schools, pediatric services and community mental health systems can play an important role.
Call for further research
The researchers called for longitudinal studies and objective measurements of screen use to better understand long-term effects. They conclude that early, family-centered interventions and culturally appropriate digital wellness frameworks will be necessary to address increasing patterns of excessive screen exposure among children.
It was published – 28 March 2026 08:58 IST
