Smartphones’ effect on kids under 10 goes beyond eyes, say doctors
Smartphone addiction among children under the age of 10 is known to be detrimental for the eyes. However, doctors on Saturday warned that spending excessive time on the device may worsen physical health and cause a host of behavioural issues.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, children under five must spend less time watching screens. While the UN health body does not recommend screen time for infants and 1-year-olds, those aged 2 years should not be exposed for more than an hour.
However, even toddlers as young as one and a half years old are being handed smartphones by their parents, said Dr Rajiv Uttam, Director, Paediatric Pulmonology, Critical Care Paediatrics (PICU), Paediatric Care, Medanta The Medicity, Gurugram, told IANS.
The doctor noted that illnesses such as “diarrhoea, fever, and other health issues are observed in children who spend excessive time on their devices”.
Several studies have shown the negative impact of smartphone use on the eye. Prolonged use of smartphones in children has been linked with vision impairment, and dry eyes among others.
Dr Vikas Taneja, Consultant Paediatrics, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, explained that this is majorly due to radiation, as the children use their mobile phones at a very close distance.
“Children can present with excessive eye strain, which can lead to redness of the eyes and excessive itching. This can lead to frequent rubbing and watering. The strain in the eyes can lead to headaches, and their sleep might get disturbed. Excessive mobile phone use can also affect the muscles of the eye,” he told IANS.
