Pune: The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) has launched an awareness campaign to address the physical and mental health issues stemming from excessive screen time among children and adolescents.

While screens have become integral to learning, socializing, and entertainment, they can cause significant health concerns with prolonged exposure.

Today’s youth, particularly ‘Generation Z,’ are estimated to spend an average of nine hours on screens daily, with more than 68% engaging for over two hours on social media and digital platforms.

IAP has launched the campaign ‘Screen Media: Curse or Blessing’ to guide parents and youth toward healthy media habits.

As part of the campaign, guidelines for various age groups are provided, urging limited screen exposure and encouraging a balanced approach that includes physical activities, schoolwork, and family time.

The guidelines recommend that parents monitor children’s online activity and enforce “device-free” zones and times at home.

Dr. G. V. Basavaraj, National President of IAP, emphasized the importance of timely intervention to prevent potential mental and physical health issues arising from excessive screen use.

“Digital engagement should be balanced with meaningful offline activities, and parental oversight is key to children’s overall well-being,” he added.

Ophthalmologists have raised concerns about a growing trend among children aged 3 to 12 requiring glasses.

They attribute this increase not only to genetics but also to prolonged usage of mobile phones, laptops, and other gadgets, which has become common among children for both entertainment and education.