Exclusive: Pediatrician Dr Imran Patel advises ‘zero screen time' for babies under 2 years of age, here's why
In an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, Dr. Imran discussed the current trend of giving screen time to children under 2 years of age and how it hinders the growth and development of infants.
Does screen time make children aggressive?
Speaking on The Pinkvilla Podcast, Dr. Imran Patel addressed the side effects of allowing children to have screen time.
He explained how this eventually leads to them becoming more aggressive by nature, lacking concentration skills, and even hampers their ability to engage in physical activity.
Dr Imran says, 'Bacche aggressive hote hai, attention span kam ho jaata hai, concentrate nahi kar paate, physical activity nahi ho paati hai, outdoor activity nahi ho paa rahi hai.'
Dr Imran Patel advises zero screen time for children less than 2 years of age
Dr. Imran highlighted that, apart from altering behavioral skills, exposure to screen time from an early age onwards also impacts the child's cognitive functions.
He reiterated the World Health Organization's recommendation on the matter, which strictly advises zero screen time for children under 2 years of age.
In his words, 'Less than 2 years: WHO recommend karta hai aur Dr. Imran Patel aur saare pediatricians recommend karte hai less than 2 years; zero screen time.'
Does the fast-paced modern life lead children to spend more time on screens?
Moving forward in the elucidating conversation, Dr. Imran Patel highlighted how the issue of children getting more screen time than required by their age is a by-product of the modern lifestyle.
He explained how parents often find themselves lacking time to spend with their children, and as a result, they resort to handing them mobile phones at a young age.
The pediatrician further revealed some of the dire consequences of excessive screen time to children at a young age, resulting in speech delay, autism, deficiency, aggressiveness, and other traits.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
13 minutes ago
- News18
Not Just A Stomach Ache: That Discomfort Could Be Hepatitis Hiding
For most people, a dull ache in the stomach or a wave of nausea after eating are usual signs of indigestion, but sometimes, this familiar discomfort may not be arising from the abdomen. In fact, it could be the liver's way of pointing towards more serious conditions like Hepatitis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hepatitis affects more than 300 million people, with India bearing one of the highest burdens in the world. This condition of the liver often hides itself until significant damage has already been done to the body. Even when its symptoms do appear, they mimic those of common digestive trouble, making diagnosis more difficult. In a situation where routine liver screening is still not that usual, the quiet symptoms of Hepatitis are unintentionally neglected until the liver starts to fail.
Mint
35 minutes ago
- Mint
‘Slow destruction of humanity': Doctor speaks on hunger crisis in Gaza as Israel denies ‘starvation' claims
The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it would implement a daily pause in operations in parts of Gaza and open new aid corridors, following months of international pressure over a growing hunger crisis in the Palestinian enclave. Global concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza has strengthened, especially after Israel and the US appeared to step away from ceasefire talks with Hamas on Friday, stating that the group had made it clear it was not interested in reaching a deal. Aid organisations said last week that severe hunger is widespread among Gaza's 2.2 million residents, with food supplies running critically low after Israel halted all deliveries in March. Though aid resumed in May, it came with tighter restrictions. Dr. Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, deputy medical coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), explained that within the first six to 24 hours without food, the body starts consuming its glycogen stores for energy. In an Instagram video, Mughaisib said, 'For the past months, I have been surviving on one meal per day. And in the last few days, I have even had only one meal every two days. Not because I cannot afford it, but because there is nothing to buy. The markets are completely empty. We are expected to save lives while our own are slowly being consumed. This is not just about hunger, but about the slow destruction of life, ability, and humanity.' According to the Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas, dozens have recently died due to malnutrition. Since the conflict began, a total of 127 people, among them 85 children, have died from hunger-related causes. EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - A morgue worker shows journalists the body of 5-month-old baby, Zainab Abu Halib, who died from malnutrition-related causes, according to Dr. Ahmed al-Farah, head of the pediatric department at Nasser Hospital, before her funeral, in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Mariam Dagga) Israel has denied that starvation is occurring in Gaza, saying the aid suspension was intended to increase pressure on Hamas to release the hostages it still holds. After allowing aid into Gaza in May, Israel claimed there was sufficient food in the territory but accused the United Nations of failing to distribute it properly. In response, the UN stated it was doing its best under the constraints imposed by Israeli restrictions. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a deadly assault in southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages back to Gaza. In the months since, Israel's military campaign against Hamas has killed nearly 60,000 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians, according to health officials in the Hamas-run territory. The offensive has devastated much of Gaza and displaced nearly its entire population. (With inputs from agencies)
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Ayurvedic doctor shares what a proper healthy day looks like and what should NOT be done
Let's be honest, life's hectic these days. Most of us barely stop to breathe, let alone think about our daily routines. But funny enough, it's often the small, steady habits that keep us sane. Ayurveda! The old Indian system of health has a few ideas about how to live better. And no, it's not just about herbs and oils. A lot of it is about timing up your daily life with the body's own natural rhythm. They've got a word for it: Dinacharya . It basically means 'daily routine'. Nothing too wild. Just doing things at the right time. Sounds obvious, but it's easy to forget. Starting with the mornings. There's this window, from like 3 AM to 7:30 AM, that's supposed to be ideal for getting up and going. Apparently the first half is ruled by something called Vata, which makes it easier to wake up with a clear head. Once the sun's up, Kapha kicks in, and that's when things feel heavier. So, getting out of bed earlier kind of gives you a head start. What do you do after waking? Well, scrape your tongue, swish a bit of oil around your mouth (oil pulling, they call it), and drink some copper-vessel water if you have one lying around. Sounds odd, but these old tricks are supposed to help get your digestion moving. A bit of stretching or yoga? That's next. Nothing fancy. Maybe 10–15 minutes tops. Throw in some deep breathing or sit quietly. Keeps the stress down and helps your body do its thing. Hormones stay balanced. People feel better. Image : Canva Breakfast? Keep it simple. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Take A Deep Breath Before You See Him Now The Noodle Box Undo Soaked almonds or dates are good. Even some roasted mung bean flour mixed with buttermilk (or lassi) is filling but not heavy. You want fuel, not a food coma. Midday is when your digestion's at its strongest. Around 12 to 1 PM. So, that's when to eat your biggest meal. If you're gonna have something rich or protein-heavy, this is the time. Your body can actually handle it now. By late afternoon, around 3 or 4 PM, you'll probably want a light snack. Nothing big. A piece of fruit or two. Just enough to stop you from crashing. Evenings around 5 to 7 PM is the good time to move. Whether that's a jog, the gym, or just a walk, this is when your muscles are ready to go. After that, slow things down. From 7 PM onwards, you should start switching off. Not saying you need to sit in silence, but maybe ditch the emails. Listen to music. Talk to someone. Do some candle gazing (Trataka), if that's your thing. Light dinner too. Vegetarian's best. Don't eat too late, it messes with your sleep and digestion. Now, this part matters: 10 PM to 2 AM is when your body does the heavy lifting, repairing, restoring, regenerating. If you're still awake scrolling Instagram, you're messing with that process. Try to be asleep by 10. Keep the room dark. Skip the screens. Let your brain and body rest properly. In the end, it's not about being perfect. Ayurveda just gives you a bit of a roadmap. Not a rulebook. Even if you follow a few of these suggestions, wake up earlier, eat when your digestion's strong, sleep on time, you'll likely feel better. (By Dr Somit Kumar, M.D (Ayu), PhD, Chief Scientific Officer & Director of Research, AVP Research Foundation)
