Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar Dec 13: An expert has warned of serious developmental and emotional implications of the rising dependence on screens among children in Kashmir. He described this growing trend as “a silent replacement of childhood itself”, saying that excessive and unguided screen use is quietly reshaping children’s behaviour, emotional health, and developmental milestones.
In an exclusive interview with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), noted psychiatrist Dr Abrar Guroo from the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) Srinagar, sounded a strong alarm over the rapidly growing screen dependency among children, calling it “a silent replacement of childhood itself.”
Speaking about the daily cases he encounters, Dr Guroo said excessive and unguided screen time is quietly reshaping children’s behaviour, emotional well-being and development. “The phone is not the real problem. The real problem is what it silently replaces – meaningful conversation, movement, imagination and the simple experience of being a child,” he said.
Dr Guroo said children thrive through physical touch, free play, curiosity and interaction. But screens, when introduced too early or used excessively, wipe out these natural learning moments, he said.
“Children grow through touch, talk, play and curiosity. They need to run around, fall, argue, get bored and then figure out what to do next. A screen takes away all of that,” he noted.
The impact is visible in clinical settings: language delays due to lack of conversation at home, restlessness caused by reduced physical activity, and widespread sleep disturbances, particularly when screens are used in the evening hours.
Are parents adding to the problem?
According to Dr Guroo, many families unintentionally contribute to excessive screen exposure.
“Children imitate us before they understand us. If a parent is glued to a phone while talking to their child, the message is loud and clear — this is normal,” he said.
With online homework, digital entertainment, and even waiting rooms filled with screens, parents often feel trapped in an ecosystem where avoiding screens seems impossible. “Families feel cornered by it, even when they want to change it,” he added.
The rise of ‘Virtual Autism’
A growing number of parents in Kashmir are now worried about what is being referred to as virtual autism — autism-like symptoms seen in toddlers heavily exposed to screens with minimal human interaction.
Dr Guroo explained: “It’s not autism, but it can look similar – reduced eye contact, delayed speech, repetitive behaviours. The hopeful part is that when screen time is reduced, and real interaction increases, many of these behaviours improve.”
This, he said, is a clear reminder of how deeply young brains depend on human connection.
International recommendations
International recommendations on screen use remain firm:
WHO: No screen time for children below 2 years; very limited, adult-supervised content for ages 2–5.
American Academy of Pediatrics: Create a family media plan, avoid screens during meals and at bedtime, and stop all screen use at least an hour before sleep.
“These aren’t restrictions — they’re safeguards for healthy development,” Dr Guroo said.
Linking screen addiction to Kashmir’s shortage of recreation spaces, Dr Guroor highlighted a structural problem often overlooked.
“In Kashmir, we simply don’t have enough safe and accessible playgrounds. Many neighbourhoods don’t even have a basic ground. Winters limit outdoor activity, traffic is unsafe, and parents are understandably protective,” he said.
In such conditions, the phone becomes the only available escape for children. “Children don’t prefer screens — they default to screens because there is no alternative. That is heartbreaking.”
He warned that the lack of sports facilities is silently shaping children’s fitness levels, social skills and emotional resilience. “If we want to reduce screen dependence in Kashmir, we must create real alternatives — local playgrounds, indoor sports centres, affordable clubs, school-based sports programmes. Parents alone cannot fix this,” he said.
Dr Guroo concluded with a simple reminder: “Your child doesn’t need a perfect environment. They need you, your presence, your attention, your voice. Screens will always be there, but you’re the one they remember.”
As screen time becomes a daily part of childhood in Kashmir, experts like Dr Abrar Guroo believe that timely collective action – from families, schools, communities and policymakers – is essential to safeguard the emotional and developmental health of the next generation—(KNO)
