Alarming rise in smartphone addiction among children

KATHMANDU: In recent years, smartphones have become an inseparable part of daily life—but now, growing concerns are surfacing around how deeply children are becoming addicted to these digital devices.

Across homes, schools, and playgrounds, more and more children are seen glued to screens.

From video games to social media apps, the digital world is capturing their attention for hours on end.

Many parents report that their children become irritable, restless, or withdrawn when their screen time is limited or interrupted.

A major point of concern is how screen addiction is affecting children’s physical health. Complaints of poor sleep, headaches, and eye strain have increased.

At the same time, sedentary behavior driven by long hours of phone use has led to a noticeable decline in physical activity.

For some, even basic social interactions are becoming challenging, with face-to-face communication taking a back seat to texting and scrolling.

Teachers are also witnessing changes in the classroom. Many say attention spans are shrinking and students are more easily distracted, often checking devices during lessons or losing interest quickly in non-digital activities.

What began as a tool for learning and entertainment has, for many young users, turned into a source of compulsive behavior.

As smartphones become more accessible and apps more immersive, concerns continue to grow about the long-term effects of excessive use on children’s health and development.

The digital age is here to stay—but the question remains: how much is too much for the youngest members of our connected world?