Impact of Use of Mobile and Internet on Children

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recently conducted a study on "Effects (Physical, Behavioural and Psycho-Social) of using Mobile Phones and other devices with internet accessibility by children" with sample size of 5000 from rural and urban all the zones of the country.

As per the study, 23.80 percent of children use smart phones while they are in bed, before going to sleep which increase with age; this has adverse impact on children. Use of smart phones at inappropriate times can have detrimental impact on health and well-being of children. One such impact is reduction in level of concentration among children. As per the study, 37.15% of children, always or frequently, experience reduced levels of concentration due to smart phone use.

As per information received from NCPCR, based on the findings of the study, it recommends- a bigger portion of land in the communities needs to be identified as a playground for children that will encourage the children to involve themselves in games and sports.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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