A growing number of young children are finding themselves caught in a cycle of emotional strain tied to too much screen exposure. Many parents notice their kids becoming anxious, restless, or unusually irritable, but few realize how strongly these behaviours connect to time spent on phones, tablets, or TVs.
A medical expert has seen this pattern unfold repeatedly. He explains that when children spend more time on screens than recommended, it often shows up emotionally. He frequently observes rising anxiety, bursts of anger, hyperactive behaviour, and even early hints of depressive moods.
In many homes today, where parents juggle work and family in smaller households, screens can quietly become a child’s emotional escape. The medical expert describes how this slowly turns into a harmful cycle. When children feel overwhelmed or lonely, they turn to screens for quick comfort. But the more they rely on screens to feel better, the more their distress deepens, pushing them back toward even more screen use.
He compares this to a child reaching for “digital comfort food”, something that feels good in the moment but leaves them worse off over time. The harshest effects show up in children spending four or more hours a day on screens, especially those involved in online multiplayer gaming, where dependency can grow quickly.
Parents often notice certain changes but may not connect them to screen time. If a child begins distancing themselves from friends, avoids everyday activities, or reacts aggressively when a device is taken away, he urges parents to take these signs seriously. Limiting screens helps, but addressing the child’s emotional needs matters just as much. Warm conversation, physical activity, unstructured play, and chances to be creative all give children healthier ways to deal with stress.
As he puts it, unchecked screen use can lock children into a loop that harms both their behaviour and emotional wellbeing. The real path forward lies not only in reducing screen exposure but also in offering more emotional support, nurturing real-world connections, and helping children build healthier digital habits.
