by Rahul Kumar
Gaya: The growing addiction to mobile phones and other electronic gadgets is making children vulnerable to what experts are now calling “virtual autism,” warns Dr. K.K. Nirala, a renowned MBBS MD from Gaya. According to Dr. Nirala, the rise in autism among children is increasingly linked to excessive use of screens, which negatively impacts their social communication and behavioral skills.
In an exclusive interview with The Researcher, Dr. Nirala discussed how modern parenting habits are contributing to this issue. He pointed out that when children cry or demand attention, many parents turn to mobile phones or other gadgets to pacify them. While this may offer immediate relief, it fosters an unhealthy addiction to screen time, leading children to spend hours in front of devices, which in turn affects their mental development.
Dr. Nirala emphasized that global research consistently shows that giving phones to children at an early age can severely affect their cognitive growth. He added that reports reveal the growing concern of mobile and gadget addiction in children, with an increasing risk of virtual autism—a condition in which children become socially withdrawn due to excessive screen time.
“The mobile phone has become an integral part of our lives, but overuse, especially among schoolchildren, is causing more harm than good,” Dr. Nirala warned. He referenced a study conducted by researchers at Delhi’s Kalwati Saran Children’s Hospital, which involved 500 children (250 from government schools and 250 from private schools). The study revealed that while the physical impacts of mobile addiction vary between children from government and private schools, the mental consequences are universal across both groups.
One of the alarming effects noted by Dr. Nirala is the decline in social interaction. “Children and even adults are now talking less to each other, which is weakening social bonds,” he said. This trend is particularly noticeable in private schools, possibly due to the increased use of online learning and greater exposure to global content.
Excessive screen time also contributes to a variety of physical issues, such as neck and eye strain, back pain, insomnia, and reduced physical activity. The long-term health risks are significant, including obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Mentally, children face increased anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and social isolation. Additionally, mobile addiction has a detrimental effect on children’s academic performance, with reduced study time, attention span, and productivity.
Dr. K.K. Nirala concluded his advice with a call to action for parents to take immediate steps in limiting screen time and encouraging more physical and social activities to help protect their children’s mental and physical well-being.
