It’s a sight familiar to many Goan parents today: a restless toddler calmed instantly with a mobile phone in hand. “Just five minutes,” we tell ourselves. But five minutes often turn into hours, and the screen becomes the babysitter.
What begins as a quick fix becomes a daily routine. And somewhere in that routine, meaningful moments of connection start slipping away.
A 2024 study by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics reveals that children under five in India now average over 2.2 hours of screen time per day, more than double the recommended limit. Experts warn that this excessive exposure is linked to delayed speech, weakened social skills, attention issues, and emotional detachment.
Yet, most parents aren’t offering screens out of negligence. Often, it’s an act of desperation, trying to keep a child calm in a crowded clinic, a noisy restaurant, or even during household chores.
So, what’s the alternative? Should parents stop taking their children anywhere for fear of mishaps and meltdowns? That’s not practical, or fair. Instead, what we need are realistic, screen-free tools to engage children meaningfully without putting them at risk.
One simple solution is a “busy bag”: a small pouch filled with safe, age-appropriate distractions like crayons, stickers, picture books, or soft toys. These can work wonders in public spaces. At home, sensory play using dry materials like rice, pasta, soft clay, or cloth scraps keeps little hands and minds occupied without relying on screens or risking water-based accidents.
Living in Goa also offers a natural advantage: beaches, fields, and quiet neighbourhood parks are perfect spaces for free, open-ended play. Studies have shown that time spent in nature helps improve mood, focus, and even sleep patterns in young children.
Most importantly, parents themselves must model healthy behaviour. If a child sees adults constantly on their phones during meals or conversations, they’re likely to copy that habit. By keeping our devices aside during family time, we send a powerful message: “You matter more than my screen.”
Screens are not the enemy. But when convenience turns into dependence, it’s time to pause. The goal is not to make parenting harder, but to make childhood deeper, more connected, and truly memorable.
After all, a restless child can be managed. But a disconnected childhood? That’s far harder to fix.
(The writer is an Assistant Professor at the Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Quepem)
