Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

Dr Deepa Suvarna |190 Answers |Ask -Follow

Paediatrician - Answered on Aug 04, 2025

Dr Deepa Suvarna is a practising paediatrician with 25 years of experience. She completed her MD in paediatrics from the TN Medical College and BYL Nair Hospital, MBBS from the King Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and diploma in child health from the College of Physicians and Surgeons.... more

Question by Surya on Aug 04, 2025Hindi

Health

My daughter 2.5 years old always need mobile screen while eating. She gets distracted and play during mealtime if there is no mobile screen. I will be feeding the meals while she watch rhymes in phone. Also if I have some office calls for one hour I will put her on mobile phone watching rhymes. Is this okay?

Ans: Not ok at all. No screen time at meals at all. Maximum half an hour of tv in an entire day as a recreation.

DISCLAIMER: The answer provided by rediffGURUS is for informational and general awareness purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment.

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Aruna Agarwal | Answer |Ask -Follow

Child and Parenting Counsellor - Answered on Mar 16, 2023

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 16, 2023Hindi

Health

My 5 YO son is addicted to gadgets. He gets very angry if we switch it off. We have tried to hide the TV remote, change the password on the mobile and set strict rules for TV and gadgets at home. He agrees temporarily. But on the rare occassion he gets it for a few extra minutes on an available device, he displays the same behaviour. How do we fix this?

Ans: The screen time takes away lot of productive time of the child and doesn't allow them to develop their skill sets.
So to reduce it , we need to take care of following:

1.You should gradually reduce it and at a time when you are there to monitor and are able to spend time with him.

2.You should be giving him equally reinforcing activities( reading books, sensory activities etc) so that the child is able to spend more time with Activity instead of gadgets.

3. Consistency is the key , hence being consistent with your efforts is important.
4.Once you achieve the goal of reducing at one time, you can gradually start the same at other time intervals too.

Aruna Agarwal | Answer |Ask -Follow

Child and Parenting Counsellor - Answered on Dec 09, 2023

Question by Mukesh - Oct 11, 2023Hindi

Health

Hello Aruna ji, my child is 2 years and 6 months old. we feel gradually he is being attracted by mobile screen. how to control it. what is maximum time to give him screen time including tv?

Ans: You can involve the child in alternative activities and keep him engaged. There can be various sensory Activities like sand Play, water play etc. which will be equally or more reinforcing and this will help you to reduce the screen time.You should avoid giving screen time and it should not be more than 15 to 20 min in a day.

Dr Deepa Suvarna |190 Answers |Ask -Follow

Paediatrician - Answered on Jan 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 06, 2025Hindi

Health

Hi, I’m genuinely worried about my 5-year-old son’s growing attachment to screens. What started as occasional cartoon time or a few educational videos on a tablet has now turned into a full-blown addiction. Whether it’s TV, a phone, or a tablet, he’s glued to the screen, and the moment we try to take it away, he throws massive tantrums -- screaming, crying, and sometimes even refusing to eat or sleep until he gets it back. Initially, it felt harmless. We thought a little screen time would keep him engaged, especially during meals or long car rides, and honestly, it gave us some breathing room to get things done. But now, it feels like we’ve created a monster. He’s losing interest in toys, outdoor play, and even interacting with other kids. When we suggest activities like drawing, reading, or puzzles, he dismisses them and demands the screen instead. Doctor, how do we approach this problem without triggering endless meltdowns every time we limit his screen time?

Ans: It will be difficult but you have to be firm
Tell him that he has a total time of 1 hour. To be divided as per his choice. But once the time is reached take the screen or remote away. Regardless of the tantrum , the rule should not change. It will take a week till he realises you are serious and won't back down. Take him to a children's park or organise a play time with a friend or a trip to the zoo on holidays. Start reading a book with him.

Dr Deepa Suvarna |190 Answers |Ask -Follow

Paediatrician - Answered on Jun 03, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 03, 2026Hindi

Health

My toddler does not eat food without watching mobile or TV. My parents and in-laws started it as a casual habit to keep him engaged while my husband and I were working from home. Now, it has become a compulsory habit. If we switch off the TV or mobile, she starts crying and refuses to eat. What should I do to break this habit? She is 3 years old and insists on watching the screen even at her playschool.

Ans: My advice is to be firm and not give in even if she doesn't eat. You can calmly tell her that she will get to see one program of say 30 mins if she finishes her food. Stick to that even if she cries. Eventually she will realise you are not giving in. Start reading to her at mealtime. A story book with pictures which would engage her. Not more than 1 hour of screen time in a day broken up into 2 or 3 slots.
It is important that grandparents are also strict regarding this

Dr Deepa Suvarna |190 Answers |Ask -Follow

Paediatrician - Answered on Jul 08, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 07, 2026

Health

My daughter is 6 years old and when we are away at work, she spends almost 3 to 4 hours daily on YouTube and mobile games after school. Because of rains, she doesn's step out at all. Whenever we try to reduce her screen time, she throws tantrums and says all her friends are doing the same at home. She is bored of indoor games and reading. How much screen time is considered healthy for children her age? How do we encourage her to reduce her screen usage?

Ans: For her age, 1 hour is the limit.
You can seek counselling if she doesn't listen. Tantrums should be ignored. She will eventually give up. Set rules calmly and stick to them even if she cries or please. It is like substance addiction. Of course you need to set an example by limiting your screen time too.

Latest Questions

Ravi Mittal |733 Answers |Ask -Follow

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 15, 2026

Relationship

mene mere bf pe cheat kiya h hm ek dusre se bahot pyar krte h pr mene cheat kiya me excuses nhi de rhi hu pr meri mental state thik nhi thi muze tk kuch smj nhi aaya ki me kya kr rhi hu ye galat h but abhi muze realize ho gya h m roj khud ko hurt kr rhi hu ye guilt muze jine nhi de rha h muze mera bf vaps chahiye m kya kru?

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
If you are physically hurting yourself, I strongly urge you to stop and speak about your struggles to a close friend or family member. Talking really helps. Next, I understand that you want your partner back, but we can't force someone. Give it some time. I think both of you need time right now to heal from the wound. I would urge you to take better care of yourself, both mental and physical health.

Hope this helps

Radheshyam Zanwar |8503 Answers |Ask -Follow

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Question by Suganya - Jul 16, 2026

Career

My daughter got B. tech CS with AI in Amritha puri campus.Is this good one or getting in Coimbatore campus is good one

Ans: Yes. It is a good option.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Nayagam P P |12397 Answers |Ask -Follow

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 16, 2026

Career

Sir got Btech CE in Somiya Vidyavihar university (Deemed) is it good choice? Got 93.36 in mhcet. 87.67 inJEE

Ans: Yes, K. J. Somaiya School of Engineering, Somaiya Vidyavihar University (Deemed), is a good choice for B.Tech in Computer Engineering, especially if you value academics, industry exposure, and a Mumbai location. With a 93.36 MHT-CET and 87.67 JEE Main percentile, you should also participate in the MHT-CET CAP counseling—you may secure seats at DJ Sanghvi, TSEC, or Fr. CRCE, which can offer comparable or better return on investment. Despite higher fees, Somaiya remains a strong option. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Asked on - Jul 16, 2026 | Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Nayagam P P |12397 Answers |Ask -Follow

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 16, 2026

Career

Good Afternoon Sir, I need your guidance regarding my admission situation. I scored 77 percentile in JEE Main and 95 percentile in MHT CET. Unfortunately, I got a compartment in CBSE Class 12 Chemistry, so I am currently not eligible for MHT CET CAP rounds or JEE-based admissions. As a result, my current percentile scores are of no use this year. My compartment examination is scheduled for 28th July, and I am confident that I will clear it. Given this situation, I wanted to ask: - Should I take admission in a below-average college that is still available after clearing the compartment? - Or would it be better to take a one-year drop, prepare again, and aim for a much better college next year?

Ans: I could have given a more accurate response if you had also shared your 12th Grade Maths and Physics marks. However, based on the information provided, I want to remind you—in case you are not already aware—that you need to ensure a score of at least 75% or be in the top 20 percentile in your board exams. Scoring above the 96 percentile in JEE 2027 will be extremely challenging but not impossible based on your JEE 2026 performance. Your MH-CET performance is good and can be further improved with focused preparation over 7-8 months. The large disparity between your JEE and MH-CET results is unclear to me. To answer your question, I suggest considering a drop year to prepare well and strategically for both exams. Additionally, it is advisable to have at least 8-9 backup options apart from JEE and MH-CET, such as COMEDK, PERA-CET, VITEEE, AEEE, SITEE, etc., and/or register with some reputed colleges that accept your Board Exam or JEE scores. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Samraat Jadhav |2591 Answers |Ask -Follow

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Question by Gopalkrishna - Jul 16, 2026

Money

i applied for sbi Mutual fund IPO, how it is?

Ans: company as in is good as AMC business in India is good as of now. If you are thinking for long term, say 5yrs and above the business will create wealth. If its pure for listing gains then its difficult.

Vipul Bhavsar |151 Answers |Ask -Follow

Tax Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Question by Sukanta - Jul 14, 2026

Money

Is monetary gift received from blood brother tax free under India's Income Tax Act? If so what is the ceiling amount?

Ans: No Limit if received from blood relative

Vipul J Bhavsar
Chartered Accountant
www.capitalca.in

Nayagam P P |12397 Answers |Ask -Follow

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Question by K - Jul 16, 2026

Career

Which is the best college for Mechanical Engineering in the list? DSATM, SMVIT, JSSATE, SIT(Tumkur), BMSIT

Ans: Prefer BMSIT, followed by SIT and others. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Nayagam P P |12397 Answers |Ask -Follow

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 15, 2026

Career

What is better iiit jabalpur ece or bits hyd dual degree with MSC maths

Ans: If you have strong academic skills and can afford higher fees, the BITS Hyderabad Dual Degree (M.Sc. Mathematics) is the better long-term option. Its flexible dual-degree program, strong alumni network, Practice School internships, excellent brand value, and the chance to earn a highly sought-after B.E. (especially in CSE/ECE based on first-year CGPA) offer significantly broader career opportunities compared to IIIT Jabalpur ECE. Choose IIIT Jabalpur ECE only if lower cost and a guaranteed ECE branch are your main priorities. All The Best for Your Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

Radheshyam Zanwar |8503 Answers |Ask -Follow

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 15, 2026

Career

I'll most likely be joining RVCE this year. My KCET rank is 42x and my COMEDK rank is 36x. Based on previous cutoffs, I'm assured a Core CSE seat through COMEDK, while through KCET I might get Core CSE if the cutoffs move, but AI/ML is almost certain. I'm a bit confused about Core CSE vs the CSE Allied branches (AI/ML, Cyber Security, Data Science, etc.), so I'd really appreciate some guidance. 1. What are the major differences between Core CSE and CSE Allied in terms of syllabus, degree awarded (does it mention the specialization or just B.E. in CSE?), placements 2. If the syllabus differs, from which semester do the branches start diverging? Roughly how much of the coursework is different? 3. During placements and internships, are Core CSE and CSE Allied students treated equally by recruiters, or do some companies prefer/restrict to Core CSE? 4. For someone aiming to become a software engineer, does choosing AI/ML, Cyber Security, or Data Science put you at any disadvantage compared to Core CSE? 5. If I get AI/ML/Cyber/Data Science through KCET but Core CSE through COMEDK, do you think paying roughly ₹1.8 lakh extra for Core CSE is worth it?

Ans: At RVCE, CSE Allied (AI/ML, DS, Cyber) is almost at par with Core CSE. Choose KCET Allied over paying ?1.8 lakh extra for Core CSE via COMEDK.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar |8503 Answers |Ask -Follow

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 15, 2026

Career

Sir my preperatory rank in sc is 3420 in jee advanced and I am female can I get any branch or seat in iit in 2026

Ans: Yes, you may have a chance for an IIT preparatory seat, but it is on the borderline. Fill in all choices in JoSAA and keep backup options ready.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

See more questions »

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Video Reply
Audio Reply

WhatsApp
Facebook
Twitter
Copy link

Delete

Close

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus

Sign up

email

uname

mobile no

Country Code

Mobile number

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

LOGIN

x