Screen Time and Kids: Are Screens Stealing Real-Life Experiences?
Ananya Mishra | Mon, 15 Dec 2025
Technology has become a regular part of children’s daily lives, from online learning to entertainment. While limited screen use can support learning and skill-building, too much exposure can affect a child’s physical health, mental well-being, and social skills. Finding the right balance between screen time and real-world activities is essential to ensure healthy growth, creativity, and emotional development in children.
Technology Is Reshaping Childhood Experiences
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- With the advancement in technology, its use has also increased.
- These days, it has also become a crucial part of children’s routines as well.
- Whether it is online classes or entertainment, children are involving screen time more and more into their routines.
- A limited amount of usage of technology is important to keep up with the dynamic environment, but too much of it can cause harm to the health and development of a child.
How Technology Is Reshaping Childhood Experiences
Online Classes
( Image credit : Freepik )
- The way children play, learn and interact has evolved due to advancement in technology. Playtime in parks, storytelling sessions and other creative activities are replaced by video games, television shows and even other social media platforms.
- Many children prefer screen time and devices over outdoor activities.
- Technology does help with developing skills but it can hinder imagination and creativity of a child.
Impact of Excessive Screen Time on Mental and Physical Health
- Screen time and technology might be important in some cases for children, but it also affects both their physical and mental health.
- Children can suffer with eye strains, bad postures, sleep disorders and lack of body fitness.
- On the mental health side, too much screen use has been associated with attention, mood, irritability and anxiety.
Social Skills and Emotional Development at Risk
Balance is the Key
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- Children these days prefer to spend time in front of the television, laptop and phones instead of going outdoors and playing with friends.
- This decreases their social interaction and hence they do not develop social or emotional skills.
- Excessive screen time may restrict family connection, peer communication and ability to deal with boredom which are significant for emotional development.
Balance is the Key
- The use of technology cannot be completely stopped in this day and age, but balancing its use with other activities is the right approach.
- Many experts advise that guardians should set screen time limits for their kids.
- They should also plan other activities that help in their physical, mental and emotional development like sports, reading, painting, drawing and playing outside with friends in nature.
- A parent’s behavior also impacts a child’s behavior, so they should make sure to not stick to their screens as well. They should spend time with their kids which does not involve any technology.
- Being mindful about using technology can make children appreciate its benefits without being deprived of real childhood experiences.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How much screen time is too much for children?
Excessive daily screen time without breaks or balance can affect a child’s health and development. - How can parents manage children’s screen time?
Setting limits, encouraging outdoor play and spending tech-free time together can help maintain balance. - Does screen time reduce social skills in children?
Spending more time on screens can limit real-life interaction and emotional development.
