Harmful Effects of Mobile Phones for Children

Smart phones are used by children all over the world for a variety of purposes. Some kids talk to their friends for hours, while others play games or watch videos. For children, the Internet is a wealth of information. While the utility of smart phones cannot be denied, constant use and exposure to screens can be harmful to children. How pleasant were those childhood days? When gadgets like mobiles, smart phones, tabs and computers did not control our daily routine.Parents are finding the biggest problem in the upbringing of children is the mobile phone.There have been conflicting studies on the impact of digital devices such as smart phones and laptop computers on teenagers and children. According to some studies, spending more time in front of a screen is harmful.Only one and a half year old child remains lost in mobile for 5 hours. Parents are proud of child’s phone knowledge. But calling the child to console him when he cries or is stubborn is the first step in making him a slave to this new addiction. Parents frequently put phones in their children’s hands or force them to sit in front of the television to keep them occupied. In such cases, parents frequently fail to notice what their child is watching or how long he spends in front of the screen.

Some of the negative effects of regular use of mobile phones include:

Tumor:- Children who use phones for extended periods of time while keeping them close to their ears are more likely to develop non-malignant tumours, particularly in the ear and brain. The layer formed to protect the bones, tissues, or many organs such as the brain of children is extremely thin. As a result, these organs absorb more than 60% of the radiation emitted by mobile phones. Radiation can have a wide range of effects on the human body, including direct effects on the nervous system.

Disturbance in brain activity:- According to studies, talking on the phone for just 2 minutes can alter the electrical activity in a child’s brain. This erratic activity can alter mood patterns and behavioural tendencies, and children may struggle to learn new things or concentrate properly.

Be affected by the eyes :- Mobile phone is very harmful for the child. Because at this time their physical development takes place. And using mobile phone at that time will be tampering with their physical development. And the most effect will be on the eyes and on the head.

Impairment of academic performance:- Many children also bring their phones to school. Chatting or playing games with friends during school breaks or even in class is becoming increasingly popular. This makes it difficult for children to pay attention in class and remember important lessons, and as a result, children.

Sleep disturbance:- Many children also bring their phones to school. Chatting or playing games with friends during school breaks or even in class is becoming increasingly popular. This makes it difficult for children to pay attention in class and remember important lessons, and as a result, children are not well-versed in studies and exams.

Effect of mobile on children

• According to a 2017 study conducted by Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital, nearly half of Indian children who cannot live without mobile phones have spinal problems. Furthermore, children enjoy watching cartoons. Meanwhile, according to a cartoon channel survey, approximately 96% of children in the country live in homes where smart phones/mobile devices are used.
• There was a report by the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), according to which
• 53% of 11- to 16-year-olds have been active in online pornography. 94% of these children were 14 years  of age.
• age.65% of 15-16 year olds and 28% of 11-12 year olds have viewed porn online.
• 53% of boys and 39% of girls had seen sex videos.
• 39% of 13-14 year olds got information about sex through these pictures only.
• 14% of children admitted that they had taken nude and semi-nude photos of themselves, and 7% of these had shared them.

Mobile phone safety tips for kids:-

• Cell phones should not be given to children under the age of 16. Young children’s brains’ skull bones have not developed the necessary density and protective tissue, making them vulnerable to the effects of radiation.
• Avoid constantly handing your child your phone while travelling. Because the vehicle’s metal armour blocks the signal, the phone’s power increases, which is dangerous for children.
  
• Allow your children to use mobile phones only in areas where the signal is strong. To get a good signal, mobile phones increase their own radiation, which can be harmful to the child.
• If there are mobile phone towers nearby, or even near or above the child’s school, extra precautions should be taken because their exposure to radiation is higher than normal.
• Ban your child from bringing a phone to school. In case of an emergency, keep the school’s phone number and give them yours.
• Keep your phone safe and out of reach of your children at all times. Without being told, children may attempt to use them.
• Do not put up with the children’s emotional drama. Maintain consistency in your responses or opinions. Saying ‘no’ one day and ‘yes’ the next is not acceptable. If you start crying, stop paying attention. Later, explain with love.
• If you find something interesting and educational on the Internet, schedule a time to watch it together. Smart TVs can be used to keep the distance between the eyes and the screen constant.

what is the solution?
Parents should set limits on their children’s use of digital devices and phones. Make some ground rules for him, such as how long he can talk on the phone, how long he can keep the phone near his ear, and how long he can text.Wear anti-fatigue glasses to protect children’s eyes while they use the phone. Ask children to use the cone speaker and avoid placing the phone too close to their ears. Do not use your phone or laptop while sleeping.

What is doctor’s advice?
How is mobile impacting children mentally? For this, keep checking their screen history.Try to spend as much time as possible with the child so that the mobile does not affect the children, so that he does not have to spend time on the mobile. Also encourage children to play outdoor games.
Explain to children that mobile phones are harmful to their health. Aside from that, engage children in hobbies such as dance, painting, music, and so on.Parents should reduce the use of mobile in front of children as much as possible. This will eliminate the trend towards mobile in the child and the desire to get it.
FAQ
Question 1:-  For children under 1 year :-

For children under the age of one, there is no screen time allowed. That is, don't keep them in front of the screen at all. Aside from that, he should lie on his stomach for half an hour every day. Feeding different types of games on the floor is also beneficial to the child's physical development.

Question 2:-  For 1 to 2 year olds

Screen time should not exceed one hour per day for children of this age. In addition, it is recommended that you engage in physical activity for 3 hours. Storytelling to children at this age is beneficial to their mental development.

Question 3:- For children from 3 to 4 years

The maximum time in a day for children aged 3 to 4 years old has been set at 1 hour. They have been advised, however, to engage in more physical activities than children aged 2 to 3 years.

 Conversation is critical for children's mental and physical development. Cognitive skills are not developed in children under the age of five. This means that children are unable to distinguish between right and wrong. They pick up on what they see. It has been observed on numerous occasions that children attempt to speak in the manner of cartoon characters. Many parents complain that their children are becoming too aggressive.