A jury in Los Angeles has ruled against tech giants Meta and Google in a significant lawsuit, mandating a payment of $6 million to a 20-year-old woman due to the addictive qualities of their platforms. This ruling has reverberated throughout Silicon Valley, but the implications are particularly pronounced for parents in Bengaluru, where mental health professionals are reporting a rise in screen addiction among youth.
Dr. Arohi Vardhan, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Cadabam Hospitals, emphasized that many individuals exhibit emotional dysregulation linked to excessive screen time, alongside behavioral and cognitive challenges. She pointed out that while screens are a contributing factor, they are not the sole cause of these issues, noting that virtually everyone today is exposed to digital devices.
Dr. Vardhan stated, “It’s not merely the duration of screen usage that matters, but rather the reactions of individuals when they are unable to access screens.” She highlighted that a significant number of her patients engage in problematic screen habits, with nearly half of them experiencing negative effects on their mental well-being.
The COVID-19 lockdown period marked a notable increase in technology use among children, according to Dr. Vardhan. “During that phase, many children were prematurely introduced to screens as online platforms became the only means of education. Those with better emotional and time management skills managed to return to normalcy, while others faced challenges in reintegrating into their routines.”
Purni Krishnakumar, a psychologist and special education consultant from Coimbatore, expressed concern over children losing interest in activities beyond screens. She observed a pattern of constant requests for screen time, along with bargaining and negotiations over device access. If parents attempt to restrict screen time, children may actively seek out the devices, leading to noticeable declines in attention spans.
Conversely, contemporary parents are becoming increasingly proactive in addressing their children’s difficulties. Dr. Vardhan noted that they are now more aware of symptoms like irritability and are taking earlier steps to seek professional help and educate themselves about the issues.
She has identified early warning signs, including behavioral problems characterized by an inability to cease device use. “Even when children express a desire to stop, they struggle to do so. We also observe instances of emotional dysregulation, where the intensity of their reactions to being deprived of screens can be quite severe,” she explained. Moreover, many children withdraw from academics and activities they once enjoyed.
Dr. Vardhan suggested that addressing this issue involves determining whether digital addiction is an independent problem or a coping strategy for underlying issues, such as bullying at school. “For instance, a child might prefer screen time to avoid social interaction,” she noted.
Following this assessment, a gradual reduction in screen time should be implemented, coupled with structured usage guidelines, establishment of device-free zones, and discussions with children about the impact of excessive screen time.
Parents should be alert to specific early indicators, as advised by Dr. Vardhan. These signs include noticeable behavioral changes when screen access is restricted, difficulties in limiting device usage, and declines in daily functioning, which may manifest as shifts in mood or appetite.
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