Smartphone's effect on child development

While smartphones have become more of a necessity than luxury these days, the technology always comes with a price tag. Youngsters, particularly children, have become increasingly dependent on this digital device. While it can provide endless hours of entertainment and educational content, increased screen time can have various harmful effects on children's health. The use of mobile phones for prolonged hours by children aged two or below can make them suffer from attention deficit disorder, cognitive delays, learning problems and lack of self control. High radiation from phones can even increase the risk of cancer.

Prolonged screen time not only affects children's eyes but it can also have other health-related effects, including sleep problems as many children use their smart gadget before bedtime, and the light emitted from screens interferes with the sleep cycle. Sometimes, children often come across violent and aggressive video contents, which can influence their behavioural traits.

For a child's smartphone addiction, the guardians' careless attitude can particularly be blamed. They provide phones to their children as an alternative to toys. They do it at the time of their feeding, which keeps them away from outside sports, and physical activities. The availability of smartphones makes it easier for children to be addicted. So, it is high time to keep children away from the excessive use of this device otherwise it will be a dangerous problem for child development.

Shahriar Hasan Rakib,

Student of Department of Psychology,

Jagannath University, Dhaka,

[email protected]