Child health experts have warned that excessive mobile phone use among young children can seriously damage their physical, mental, and psychological development.
Speaking on a private television program, pediatrician Dr Waseem Ahmed Jamalvi urged parents not to hand over mobile phones to children under the age of five. He said early exposure to screens can negatively affect a child’s overall growth.
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“Using mobile phones at an early age is extremely harmful for a child’s development,” Dr. Jamalvi said. He explained that prolonged screen time may cause weak eyesight, sleep disturbances, irritability, and delays in speech and learning abilities.
The expert stressed that children learn primarily from their parents and immediate environment.
However, many parents, especially mothers, give phones to children simply to keep them busy, which can create long-term developmental issues.
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“Unfortunately, many mothers hand over phones to children just to keep them occupied,” he said.
Referring to international guidelines, Dr. Jamalvi noted that several countries are taking strict measures. He mentioned that Australia has restricted social media access for children under 16, while the World Health Organization (WHO) advises against screen exposure for children under two years of age.
He explained that the first two years of a child’s life are crucial for brain development. During this period, rapid neuron growth takes place, continuing strongly until around the age of five. Excessive screen exposure during these formative years may disrupt healthy cognitive development.
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Dr. Jamalvi also advised parents to set an example by limiting their own mobile phone use in front of children. He recommended avoiding phone usage during meals and before bedtime, as blue light from screens can negatively affect sleep cycles and eye health.
