Impact of Mobile Phones In Children's Lives And Factors Associated With Mobile Phone Addiction- A Prospective Observational Study

ABSTRACT:

Mobile phones play an important role in our lives. Early introduction of mobiles even from infancy and prolonged screen time is predisposing children to get addicted and they exhibit many behavioural problems like temper tantrums.  This study was done to find the effects of mobile phones in physical and psychosocial health of children and also the factors predisposing to mobile phone addiction. We found that nuclear families, single child, both parents in busy jobs was associated with children using mobile phones for longer duration and increased frequency of throwing temper tantrums. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly high while children playing outdoors or adopting other recreation activities was less in this study population.