During the summer holidays, my eight-year-old son’s digital screen time has increased. I feel this is adversely affecting his health and behaviour. Please share some symptoms I need to watch out for.

Rema Fernandez, Bengaluru

In today’s hyperconnected world, smartphones and digital screens have become an inseparable part of childhood. What began as an aid for education and communication has rapidly evolved into a powerful neurobehavioral force shaping children’s developing brains.

Across clinics globally, pediatricians are witnessing a surge in children reporting symptoms such as reduced attention span, behavioral dysregulation, sleep disturbances, declining academic performance, and emotional instability. While these issues are multifactorial, excessive and unregulated exposure to digital screens is emerging as a significant contributor.

Watch out for these symptoms/red flags of digital overuse in your child:

• Increased irritability when digital devices are removed/restricted
• Loss of interest in offline activities
• Decline in academic performance
• Sleep disturbance
• Social withdrawal
• Excessive dependence on digital devices for calming

After the birth of my second child, I am experiencing increased stress and burnout. My health is also getting adversely affected, with responsibilities of caring for two children. Please advise.

Geetha Shankar, Chennai

Caring for two young children is challenging but not insurmountable task. Research suggests that awareness, communication, and shared responsibility can mitigate the effects of parental burnout. Your good health, physical and emotional, is essential to ensure the well-being of your children. Focus on making these simple changes in your life.

Explicit tasks sharing. Assign not just physical tasks but the ‘thinking’ behind them — who tracks immunizations, manages school communications — equitably within the family. This redistribution of cognitive and physical effort will reduce your stress.

External support. Download and use digital calendars, shared family apps, and structured reminders – this can ease the strain on your mind and streamline planning.

Mental health support. Parenting support groups, counselling, and stress-management interventions have been demonstrated to reduce parents’ emotional burnout (Sarkadi et al., 2008).

Self-compassion and rest. Acknowledge your limitations. Solicit and accept help from family members, and prioritise rest/sleep as not luxuries but necessary for sustainable caregiving.

My ten-year old spends four-five hours on the smartphone every day. My in-laws, who are at home most of the time, say that it is normal for this generation to spend time on digital devices. How do I convince them that excessive screentime will adversely impact his physical and mental health?

Ruchi Shivani, Mumbai

You must set screentime limits for your children and insist that they are followed, whether you are present or not. Use apps to restrict the amount of time your children spend on digital devices. Educate your in-laws about clinically established effects and consequences of children spending excessive time on digital devices. Here are some of them:

Attention and learning impairment. Frequent switching between apps and content fragments children’s attention span. Children tend to struggle with developing concentration/focus, deep learning and problem-solving capabilities.

Emotional dysregulation. Excessive digital screen exposure is linked to increased anxiety, mood swings and reduced frustration tolerance in children.

Sleep disruption. Blue light exposure suppresses melatonin, delaying sleep onset. Poor sleep adversely impacts children’s growth, immunity and cognitive performance.

Social development challenges. Reduced face-to-face social interaction can impair children’s empathy, communication skills and emotional intelligence.

(Dr. Tarun Singh is a pediatrician and newborn specialist at Kalpavriksh Healthcare, New Delhi)