Excessive phone usage can have both physical and psychological effects on children.

While
some phone use can be educational and entertaining, prolonged or unrestricted screen time
may lead to various concerns:

1. Physical health issues: Excessive phone usage can contribute to sedentary behaviour,
leading to problems like obesity and poor posture. Extended screen time, especially in poor
lighting conditions, can strain the eyes and cause headaches.

2. Sleep disturbances: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with the production of
melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Excessive phone use, especially before bedtime,
may disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to insomnia.

3. Social and emotional impact: Excessive screen time can interfere with face-to-face social
interactions. Children may become more isolated and struggle with developing essential social
skills. Additionally, exposure to inappropriate content or cyberbullying online can have negative
emotional effects.

4. Academic performance: Excessive phone use may lead to reduced time for homework,
reading, and other educational activities. This could impact a child's academic performance.

5. Addiction and dependence: Constant engagement with phones, especially in the form of
social media and gaming, can lead to addictive behavior. Children may develop a dependency
on their devices, impacting their ability to engage in other activities.

To mitigate these concerns, parents must establish reasonable screen time limits, encourage a
balanced lifestyle with physical activity and social interactions, and monitor the content children
access online. Open communication about responsible phone use is crucial to helping children
develop healthy habits.