The steadily increasing screen time among children in India has become a serious cause for concern. In homes and neighborhoods across the country, it is increasingly evident that children are spending far more time on mobile phones than engaging in outdoor play. Education, entertainment, friendships, and even social interactions are now largely mediated through screens. This trend is particularly pronounced in urban areas, heightening parental anxiety. Many parents believe that excessive mobile phone usage is adversely affecting their children’s behavior and overall development.
Parents report that children are devoting an increasing amount of time to mobile phones and social media platforms. Excessive exposure to social media, online gaming, and OTT platforms has emerged as a worrying pattern. The COVID-19 pandemic, which forced schools to shift to online classes, placed smartphones directly into the hands of children—often at a very young age. What began as a necessity has now turned into a major challenge.
This growing dependence on screens is gradually becoming a hindrance to children’s academic progress and physical well-being. Children are drifting away from books, studies, and playgrounds. Intellectuals and educationists have repeatedly raised concerns over the unchecked rise in mobile phone usage. Internet and social media addiction are not only distracting children from their studies but also isolating them from outdoor activities and real-world social interactions. Parents must pay close attention to this issue, as timely guidance and responsible supervision can help safeguard children’s futures.
A recent survey has revealed alarming insights. Conducted across approximately 302 urban locations or districts in India, the survey found that more than half of the parents acknowledged that their children spend over three hours a day on mobile phones. Nearly 70 percent of parents stated that their children excessively consume content on YouTube, video-streaming platforms, and OTT services.
Additionally, 6–7 percent of parents admitted that excessive mobile phone and social media usage has noticeably altered their children’s behavior. According to them, children now appear more irritable, aggressive, anxious, and mentally distressed. Screens are not only eroding innocence but are also contributing to anxiety, reduced concentration, sleep disturbances, and heightened irritability. Constant scrolling is diminishing attention spans.
Global concern over this issue is evident. Australia recently banned social media access for teenagers under the age of 16. In India, the Madras High Court, while hearing a public interest litigation, suggested that the central government consider enacting legislation similar to Australia’s. Alarmingly, children under the age of ten in India already maintain social media accounts.
At a time when children increasingly view digital media as the ultimate source of truth, the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to make newspaper reading mandatory in schools is a welcome initiative. Under this policy, students are required to read national and international news and editorials for ten minutes during morning prayers. Additionally, five challenging words along with their meanings are written daily on the blackboard.
This initiative is likely to strengthen reading habits, enhance vocabulary, and improve general awareness while simultaneously reducing screen time. Over time, it may rekindle children’s interest in books, libraries, and thoughtful reading. By fostering a reading culture, children can grow emotionally, intellectually, and socially. The irony of our times is striking: today, children’s fingers glide across mobile screens instead of turning the pages of books.
Schools have also been instructed to encourage students to publish monthly or quarterly school newspapers or magazines. Editorial writing or group discussions should be organized for students from classes nine to twelve. ‘Crossword’ and ‘Sudoku’ competitions should be held, and activities such as making scrapbooks from newspaper clippings should be promoted among students of junior classes. It is alarming that even children under five years of age in India spend more than two hours a day on screens. Newspapers not only convey information, but also foster understanding, sensitivity, and social awareness.
The very need for such an order indicates how serious screen addiction has become among children. Reading doesn’t just mean reading textbooks. In the digital age, information is coming from all directions, but discerning what is true and what is false is a challenge. Newspapers remain the most reliable medium. Reading them will provide children with credible information, help them develop their own perspective on various events, and improve their language skills. Often, such efforts are dismissed with the argument that “schoolchildren have nothing to do with the world of news, therefore they should only be encouraged to read textbooks.” This notion is actually incorrect. Even if the news published in newspapers doesn’t have much direct relevance to school studies and exams, reading and listening to it changes students’ perspectives and understanding.
Even if they don’t understand many news stories initially, a time will come when they will develop an interest in the news. Their understanding will grow. Today, many children in schools know a lot about film stars but don’t know the names of people holding important positions in the country. When these children prepare for competitive exams in the future, they face many difficulties. They have to read many books on general knowledge and current affairs, which takes a considerable amount of time. Making newspaper reading compulsory in schools would benefit these children. Many people say, “If children read newspapers in school, when will they do their other studies? Won’t this disrupt class time?” Such fears are unfounded. Reading the major headlines from the newspaper during the morning assembly won’t take more than 10 minutes. If there is any news item from which a general knowledge question can be framed, it can be written on the school notice board.
Later, children can copy it into their notebooks. If they read the newspaper daily, they would already be aware of this information. A five-rupee newspaper and the time spent reading it is an investment that can save you millions of rupees in the future. Whether teenagers or adults, make reading the newspaper an integral part of your daily routine. It is likely that in other states of the country, state governments will also take effective steps, similar to the Uttar Pradesh government, to encourage newspaper reading in schools to keep children updated with the latest knowledge. Parents and guardians can demonstrate their involvement by reading newspapers with their children at home. In schools where parents and guardians are actively involved, they regularly communicate with the school and participate in the learning process. This active participation builds and strengthens the bond with the children. It also increases parents’ confidence when making decisions related to their children’s education. The involvement of both parents and the school leads to better communication among teachers, parents, and children.
