KALIKOT, March 15: In light of technological advancements, mobile phones have become ubiquitous, as they are now in everyone’s hands. While this accessibility enhances information exchange and communication, it also introduces potential harms when not properly utilized.

Binod Shahi, a young businessman from Khandachakra Municipality-1, said that the rising use of mobile phones has led to children in remote areas becoming addicted and having difficulty focusing on other tasks.

Dr Sanket Biswokarma from the Health Service Office in Kalikot said that excessive mobile phone usage can delay children's speech and lead to problems in their mental, physical, and overall development once addiction sets in.

According to him, the parents' use of mobile phones is one of the reasons for children's addiction to mobile phones.

He said, “Mobile phone addiction among children and teenagers is now seen as a global problem. However, it is not only connected with the children, but also related to the behavior of the parents.”

Especially in teenagers, problems like depression and child marriage are seen due to excessive addiction to mobile phones. Similarly, there have been incidents of 'bullying' and sexual abuse of some children through social media.

Lately, not only children but also parents are getting depressed due to mobile phone addiction. The use of social media among young people is causing many problems. The growing use of social media and mobile phones has made most of the teenagers victims.

The Ministry of Health and Population has also been issuing notices and advising parents not to make their children addicted to mobile phones. In the notices issued by the ministry, it is said that mobile phone addiction affects the overall development of children.

When children are fed while being distracted by mobile phones, they often lose track of what they're eating and may not be aware of the type of food they're consuming. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies and digestive issues.

It is important for parents to engage with their children during meal times by talking to them, rocking them, singing, and responding to their movements. Children who are addicted to mobile phones might exhibit signs such as dizziness, irritability, fussiness, and excessive talkativeness. Consequently, they may develop a habit of eating hastily without properly chewing their food, which can further exacerbate digestive problems.

Research has revealed that children who use mobile phones before bedtime experience disruptions in the release of sleep hormones due to the light emitted from the screens of mobile phones. Furthermore, if the mobile phone addiction occurs during the critical period of brain development, typically at a young age, it can significantly impede overall child development.

 
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