ANJALI YADAV/Dehradun
Many Dehradun parents and experts say that rising social media use among children is becoming a concern, sparking debate over whether the use of mobile phone and internet for minors should be legally restricted by the authorities. Concerns over screen addiction, cyberbullying and mental health have led to calls for stricter rules, though opinions remain divided on whether a complete ban is practical.
Clinical psychologist Mukul Sharma told The Pioneer that social media should be restricted or banned for minors. He said that it exposes children to harmful content like pornography, negatively affects their mental health and time management. Sharma added that this can also lead to poor academic performance and behavioral issues.
Clinical psychologist Bhagyalaxmi echoed similar concerns. She said that early exposure to social media can affect children’s mental well-being. “Excessive screen time at a young age can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem and attention issues. Children are still developing emotionally and cognitively,” she said, adding that the impact is often visible between the ages of 10 and 13 years. However, she cautioned against an outright ban. “It may backfire and lead to secretive usage. Structured regulation, parental supervision and digital literacy are more effective,” she said. Experts also say that technology platforms need to take more responsibility through stronger age verification, better content moderation and safer algorithms for younger users.
Parents say that managing screen time has become increasingly difficult. Priyanka Barthwal said that monitoring her child’s digital usage is a daily struggle. “We try to set limits, but children find ways around them. Screen time has increased and it affects mood, studies and outdoor activity,” she said. Barthwal said that a complete ban may not be practical, especially with growing dependence on digital tools for education. “Instead of banning, there should be more awareness and better parental control options,” she added.
Another localite Mamta Singh said that she uses child lock for apps that aren’t for kids, including Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. However, she lets her two kids use the mobile phone at home for a restricted period. “They are free to use apps that are useful for them. I let them play chess or spelling and phonics games. This I partly feel helps them learn things better”. However, she agrees that social media and parents should play a wider role in managing the misuse of mobile phones. She said that guidelines from the government implementing strict laws for social media companies will help curb this issue.
