CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The increasing use of mobile phones and digital screens is raising concern over the development of young children. Especially in the early years, if children spend long periods on screens, their time for face-to-face interaction, play, reading books and communicating with family may be reduced. According to experts, these activities are important for language and social development.
These days, the term “virtual autism” is used for children who show autism-like behaviour or developmental delays along with prolonged screen use. However, experts have advised caution over the use of this term. Current scientific evidence does not prove that watching screens causes autism. Higher screen time has been linked in some children to issues related to language skills, attention, behaviour and sleep. Due to continuous mobile viewing, children may spend less time in activities such as conversation and two-way play. In such cases, parents are advised to give priority to activities such as conversation, storytelling, book reading and play instead of screens.
If a child shows signs such as delayed speech, reduced eye contact, not pointing, difficulty interacting with other children, or a decline in previously learned language and social skills, parents should not wait by assuming that mobile use alone is the cause. It is important to get an assessment done by a pediatrician or developmental specialist.
Hashtags: #Health #Bhopal #Desksource #VirtualAutism #ScreenTime #ChildDevelopment #DeskSource #MobilePhones #DigitalScreens #RisingRiskOfVirtual
