A Los Angeles jury recently found Meta and Google liable in a landmark lawsuit, ordering them to pay $6 million to a 20-year-old woman over the addictive nature of their platforms. While the verdict sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley, The Indian Express reported, the struggle is hitting closer to home for parents in Bengaluru, where psychologists are seeing a surge in addiction to screens.
It is not about how long, but how they react
"What I usually see is that people usually have some emotional dysregulation secondary to screen usage, behavioural or cognitive difficulties," said Dr Arohi Vardhan, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Cadabam's Hospitals Bengaluru. "Usually, the screen is not the only factor but one of the contributory reasons. Almost everyone today is exposed to screens."
"It is not about how long they are using the screens, but how they react when they are not able to use the screens," she added, noting that most young patients today show problematic screen use, with about half using screens in a way that harms their mental health.
The pandemic's lasting effect
The Covid lockdown marked a period of increased technology use among youngsters. "During that time period, children's exposure to screens became premature. Even for younger ones, parents had to allow screens at the time, since online platforms were the only mode of education. Children who had better emotional and time regulation went back to normal. Those who could not do that suffered through the process of getting back to routine."
The early signs
Modern parents are increasingly willing to seek help, Dr Vardhan noted, and are more attuned to signs such as irritability. The early signs she sees include a loss of control, where children cannot stop using devices even when they want to, and emotional dysregulation. "The intensity of the reaction when the screen is taken away can be extreme." Withdrawal from academics and previously enjoyed hobbies is also common, along with changes in mood, appetite and daily functioning.
Managing it
Management starts with working out whether digital addiction is the primary issue or a coping mechanism. "For example, a child may be getting bullied in school. So instead of going ahead and interacting with anyone outside, it is easier to be inside on the screen." From there, a gradual reduction in screen use should begin, with structured screen time, device-free zones, and honest explanations to the child of how screens are affecting them.
Support at Cadabam's Hospitals
If your child cannot stop, melts down when a device is taken away, or has withdrawn from school and hobbies, early help makes a difference. Cadabam's Hospitals offers specialist child and adolescent psychiatry and structured support for behavioural addiction, working with the whole family. Our team is here to help.