Bhubaneswar: A new study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that one in five adolescents spends more than four hours each day on mobile phones, gaming, social media and other digital activities outside of schoolwork, highlighting growing concerns over excessive screen time among children.
The findings are based on the WHO’s Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, which examined the digital habits of students aged 11, 13 and 15 across multiple countries.
According to the report, 74% of adolescents spend more than two hours a day on screens for non-academic purposes, while 21% spend over four hours daily on digital entertainment and online activities.
The study also recorded a significant rise in problematic social media use among teenagers, increasing from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022, indicating growing dependence on digital platforms.
Health experts warn that excessive screen time may be associated with increased anxiety, loneliness, poor sleep quality, reduced physical activity and weaker face-to-face social interactions. They stress the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between technology use and offline activities to support children’s overall well-being.
With smartphones and online platforms becoming an integral part of daily life, the report underscores the need for parents, schools and communities to encourage responsible digital habits while ensuring children continue to engage in physical, social and recreational activities beyond screens.
-OdishaAge
