Bhubaneswar: Not enough outdoor activities (games and sports) is compelling children to look for easier options of entertainment such as mobile phones and television, which are becoming addictive like substance abuse.
This situation has proved to be challenging to parents. While some parents ban use of mobile or television for children, some parents don’t mind this form of entertainment.

“The current education system, societal pressure and busy parents have taken a toll on the outdoor activities of children. In this situation, it is better to keep a watch on children’s dependency on television and mobile.
They should be allowed to watch television for educative purposes and entertainment but not always during leisure. Same is the case with mobile phones,” said senior psychiatrist Dr Samrat Kar.
Some parents lose patience to handle the children’s nuisances and provide mobile phones to them to divert them.
“They don’t know the way out to help them get rid of cellphone addictions. We will have to see things in the present context. Balance is the best way to deal with children. Parents need to give them attention, engage them in indoor gaming activities (other than that of mobile and internet), art or anything that excites them. On a given day, 30 minutes to one hour is enough for mobile watching,” Kar added.
It has been found that excessive screen time leads to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children. Now it is on the rise. While it used to be 10 such cases per week at a doctors clinic, it is now 3 to 5 cases per day. While the increasing “Irritability and cranky behaviour are also found in them, said senior consultant, psychiatry Dr Lagnajit Dash.

We also published the following articles recently