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WION Health Pulse: Dr Jitendra Nagpal reveals how excessive screen time affects children’s brain and behaviour

At WION Health Pulse, Psychiatrist Dr Jitendra Nagpal explains how excessive screen time can impact children's brain development, sleep patterns, behaviour, and overall well-being.

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Written By: Muskan Gupta | Published : June 17, 2026 6:56 PM IST

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Dr Jitendra Nagpal warns against excessive screen time in children

WION Health Pulse: At a time when smartphones, tablets, and digital devices have become an inseparable part of daily life, concerns are growing about their impact on children. In an exclusive conversation at the WION Health Summit held at Taj Hotel, New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Nagpal, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and in charge of the Institute of Mental Health & Life Skills Promotion at Moolchand Medcity, highlighted the serious consequences of excessive screen time on children's brain development, physical health, and behavior. He also stressed the crucial role parents play in shaping healthy technology habits and protecting their children's overall wellbeing.

How excessive screen time affects brain development?

During the event, Dr Nagpal said "Excessive screen time can have harmful effects on the growing brain. Excessive screen time could damage neural pathways and even reduce parts of the cortex of the brain, he said. This can limit a child's ability to read, write, communicate and critically analyse."

He drew attention to many digital platforms and fast-paced games, which keep children plugged in through continuous stimulation. "The brain gives a reward signal as items load so fast, and they are all so intensely emotional that they do not give users the opportunity to think, only feel. This can have a negative impact over time on children's attention span, learning and cognitive development," the doctor added.

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Physical health risks linked to too much screen time

Dr Nagpal also talked about the physical health impacts of too much screen time. One issue of concern is the impact on sleep. Long hours of device use can create or alter sleep routines in children. Hormonal imbalances associated with lack of sleep may affect growth, digestion and overall well-being. Issues like indigestion, constipation and tiredness can occur more frequently in children who indulge in excessive screen time.

Behavioural changes caused by excessive screen use

The effect goes beyond the physical. Behavioural changes are also emerging more and more. Dr Nagpal said that excessive screen time can lead to increased anger, hostility, defiant behaviour and a decline in social interactions during childhood and adolescence. Some children may even refuse to go to school or engage in family time and outings.

Why parental involvement is important?

"Parental participation is the key to solving these concerns," said Dr Nagpal. He advised avoiding the introduction of screens to infants and said that screen time needs to be kept to a minimum for toddlers. For younger children, he recommended limited use, such as no more than 30 minutes on a screen at a time, no more than three times a day, while ensuring they are not spending all their time on screens instead of playing, talking or engaging in real-life activities.

A major point in his talk was that children imitate their parents. If parents spend a significant amount of time on their phones, children are likely to do the exact same. In turn, adults need to be aware of how much time they spend on their screens and make a conscious effort to actively spend time with their children and engage in meaningful conversations through other activities.

Setting screen time rules for children

Dr Nagpal also warned against giving phones to children at a tender age. Instead, parents should clearly set rules, put limits on device use and employ parental control tools such as Family Link for device monitoring.

He emphasized the strategies already adopted by other countries to address the problem, including limits on device usage by younger users, as has been done in Australia.

The doctor ended his talk by stating that spending quality time with children is the best investment a parent can make, rather than providing them with numerous gadgets. "When children grow up in today's digital age, good relationships that engage children, are caring and meaningful, are vital to healthy childhood development," he said.

Disclaimer: The content on TheHealthSite.com is only for informational purposes. It is not at all professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a healthcare specialist for any questions regarding your health or a medical condition.

Muskan Gupta

Muskan Gupta

Muskan Gupta is a passionate lifestyle and health journalist with over 4 years of experience. She has worked with leading media organisations like ANI and India TV. Currently employed at TheHealthSite.com under Zee Media, she brings stories to life and covers ... Read More