Increasing screen time adverse effects on children’s eyes, brain and mental development

Prayagraj: Amid changing lifestyles and increasing screen time, Dr. Anurag Tiwari, Superintendent of the Community Health Center (CHC) Ramnagar, urged parents to keep young children away from mobile phones. Addressing parents and villagers who had come to the hospital for treatment, he said that excessive mobile phone use was adversely affecting children’s eyes, brain, and mental development.

Dr. Tiwari explained that prolonged exposure to mobile screens affects the retina of children’s eyes. Furthermore, problems such as headaches, irritability, lack of sleep, and decreased concentration are also rapidly increasing. He added that the Sarojini Naidu Children’s Hospital in Prayagraj is also seeing a growing number of children suffering from vision impairment, headaches, and other health problems due to excessive mobile phone and internet use.

He urged parents to give their children mobile phones only for studies and essential tasks. They should also encourage them to play sports, read books, draw, and engage in other creative activities to enhance their physical, mental, and social development.

Dr. Tiwari said that children’s childhood is not about mobile screens, but about outdoor environments, play, and family time. Taking timely precautions can prevent many serious health problems in the future.

This awareness campaign, conducted at CHC Ramnagar, was praised by villagers and residents of the area. People say that this is the first time in the Meja area that a superintendent has launched such an awareness campaign on the serious topic of children’s health and mobile phone addiction. They hope that this initiative will increase awareness among parents and ensure a safer and healthier future for children.