Last Updated:
Excessive screen time in children can trigger anxiety, aggression, and emotional issues. expert shares key red flags and expert tips for parents.
Excessive screen use can fuel anxiety and behavioural changes in young children, warns Dr. D. Srikanth.
Excessive screen use in children under 10 is increasingly linked to emotional and behavioural challenges, a pattern Dr. D. Srikanth, Sr. Consultant Pediatrician & Neonatologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, sees often in clinical practice. “When screen exposure exceeds recommended limits, we see a clear rise in anxiety, aggression, hyperactivity, and even early signs of depression,” says Dr. Srikanth.
In today’s lifestyle, with working parents and nuclear families, children struggling emotionally often turn to screens as a coping tool. According to Dr. D. Srikanth, this creates a destructive loop: “The more they depend on screens to soothe themselves, the more their emotional distress grows, pushing them back toward even more screen time.”
Screens act like “digital comfort food,” explains Dr. Srikanth. They offer quick relief but deepen emotional troubles over time. The sharpest negative effects appear in children using screens for four or more hours daily. Gaming especially online multiplayer carries the highest risk of dependency and addiction.
Parents should stay alert for behavioural red flags. “If a child begins skipping social activities, withdrawing emotionally, or becomes aggressive when screens are removed, it’s a signal parents shouldn’t ignore,” warns Dr. D. Srikanth. He emphasises that while limiting screen time is necessary, addressing the child’s emotional needs is equally crucial. Conversation, exercise, free play, and creativity are healthier coping strategies for stress and frustration.
“Unchecked screen use traps children in a harmful feedback loop,” notes Dr. Srikanth. “The real solution lies not only in reducing screen time but in increasing emotional support, meaningful real-world interaction, and building intentional digital habits.”
What Parents Can Do (Expert Guidance from Dr. D. Srikanth)
Establish clear rules for screen time, both duration and content and follow them consistently.
Co-view whenever possible. “Sitting with your child and discussing what they’re watching makes screen time interactive and protective,” advises Dr. Srikanth.
Prioritise sleep. Keep devices away at least one hour before bedtime.
Encourage outdoor play and face-to-face socialising to balance digital exposure with physical and emotional activity.
Monitor emotional shifts. If your child becomes irritable, anxious, or withdrawn, Dr. D. Srikanth recommends consulting a pediatrician or child psychologist promptly.
Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady Shri Ram …Read More
Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady Shri Ram … Read More
November 17, 2025, 09:50 IST
