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Struggling With Screen Time Addiction: My 5-Year-Old's Tantrums Are Out of Control - What Can I Do?

Dr Deepa Suvarna |140 Answers |Ask -Follow

Paediatrician - Answered on Jan 06, 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

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.

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.

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Dr Bakshi how can I limit my child's screen time in a positive way? My son gets very annoyed when I switch off the tv or limit his screen time. How do I deal with his tantrums and aggressive behaviour?

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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.

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Hello My son is addictive to scree in form of videos, web series or games. I tried many things like make him understand or by giving treats if he reduced screen time or sometimes scolding but nothing is working. He is like habitual and whenever he gets chance he just grab a mobile, tab or remote of telivision. Please guide me how to change his habit. I am really worried as this is affecting his health and study. Thank you in advance.

Ans: Coming out of screen addiction is hard but with your consistency and resilience it can be done.
You can take a note of entire number of hours been spent on the screen.
After this try to reduce it by each day or two only half an hour to hour and praise the effort taken to do that. Motivate your child to have some fun times together with you by going for walks and starting participation in some sort of games together. It's going to be a gradual process then it will not be overwhelming for both of you.

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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.

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Ans: Dear Anonymous,
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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.

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