Excessive screen use in children under 10 is increasingly linked to emotional and behavioural challenges, a pattern Dr. D. Srikanth, Sr. Consultant Pediatrician & Neonatologist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, sees often in clinical practice. “When screen exposure exceeds recommended limits, we see a clear rise in anxiety, aggression, hyperactivity, and even early signs of depression," says Dr. Srikanth.

In today’s lifestyle, with working parents and nuclear families, children struggling emotionally often turn to screens as a coping tool. According to Dr. D. Srikanth, this creates a destructive loop: “The more they depend on screens to soothe themselves, the more their emotional distress grows, pushing them back toward even more screen time."

Screens act like “digital comfort food," explai

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