New Delhi | July 21, 2025 : In hospital rooms and classrooms across Delhi, a silent crisis is unfolding, children and young adults are falling deeper into screen addiction, with serious consequences for their health, behaviour, and academic performance. From dropping grades to mental breakdowns, and even physical deformities, the impact of excessive screen time is becoming increasingly visible.

Real Lives, Real Consequences

A 12-year-old boy who once thrived in school and sports began skipping meals and withdrawing from friends. His parents took him to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, where he was diagnosed with early signs of depression, closely linked to excessive screen use. With therapy, digital curfews, and proper sleep routines, his condition gradually improved.

In another extreme case, a 9-year-old boy, upset after his phone was taken away, grabbed a kitchen knife and harmed himself. Doctors confirmed the incident as a result of behavioural addiction symptoms similar to withdrawal, such as agitation and poor impulse control. Therapy and family counselling helped him recover.

More disturbing was the case of a 19-year-old who spent over 12 hours a day gaming. Sedentary and isolated, he developed a spinal deformity made worse by undiagnosed tuberculosis. By the time he reached the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, he had lost control of his bladder and was unable to walk. Doctors performed a complex surgery, restoring partial movement and bladder function within days.

Behavioural Shifts and Academic Decline

School principals and mental health experts agree that the first sign of screen addiction is usually a drop in academic performance. But the real problem lies deeper changes in sleep patterns, withdrawal from social spaces, mood swings, and even hallucinations.

One Class 10 student, once a top performer, was found to be staying up till 4 am watching videos and chatting online. She eventually developed insomnia, emotional imbalance, and academic anxiety. Treatment included sleep therapy, medication, and sessions to tackle stress.

Experts point out that unsupervised screen use, especially among children under 12, is a major factor. Many parents, distracted by their own work or social media habits, fail to monitor what their children are doing online.

AI and Online Trends Adding to the Chaos

Artificial Intelligence is also playing a role in this growing crisis. Cyber law expert Pavan Duggal notes that AI has increased phone usage among teens, with some even turning to AI chatbots for relationship advice. Online trends like the Ghibli filter challenge on social media further blur digital boundaries, encouraging teens to overshare personal images.

Cyberbullying, stalking, and online harassment are also on the rise, but most cases go unreported due to stigma or fear. Some teens have even created anonymous confession pages, which can spiral into unsafe spaces.

What Are Schools and Courts Doing?

In February, the Delhi High Court responded to a PIL and issued guidelines for managing smartphone use in schools. While it stopped short of a complete ban, the court stressed responsible use, suggesting safe deposit lockers, time restrictions, and awareness sessions on digital behaviour.

Schools are now drafting their own policies. A Delhi government school vice-principal said her school will only allow basic keypad phones for emergencies. “There have been too many cases of misuse,” she said.

Some schools are encouraging students to take the lead. In 2022, twins Samaya and Samhara Chauhan from Amity International School started an anti-bullying initiative, which later grew into PLANY, a campaign for girl child education, AI ethics, and digital safety.

The Way Forward

Doctors are seeing an increase in emotional distress, obesity, and even suicidal behaviour among children linked to screen overuse. “In nearly 60% of cases, children are left unsupervised,” says Dr Nitin Verma, Director of Paediatrics at Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital. He warns that screen exposure at a very young age may increase the risk of conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Principal Anjali Kharbanda sums up the crisis clearly: “First their grades fall, then their behaviour changes. It’s not just what they watch, it’s what they start becoming.”

As Delhi struggles to keep pace with technology, it’s clear that screen time is no longer just a parenting issue, it’s a public health emergency.