Phone addiction is not yet officially recognised as a clinical condition, but concern is growing among researchers, clinicians and child development experts that excessive smartphone use is already reshaping behaviour, particularly in children.
While the condition remains unofficial, concerns are rising. A recent Deloitte survey of 1,000 adults found that 70% believe they spend too much time on their phones, reflecting how deeply smartphones have become embedded in daily life. Experts warn the implications may be even greater for children.
Clinicians also report a growing overlap between substance addiction and compulsive phone use, highlighting how excessive screen dependence is becoming increasingly normalised.
Children growing up in a screen-first world
As concerns over excessive screen use grow, the focus is increasingly shifting to children. Government data shows that screen exposure begins remarkably early, with around 98% of children using screens daily by the age of two. Official guidance recommends limiting screen time to no more than one hour a day for children under five, while those under two should avoid screens except during shared activities with an adult.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Dr Rina Bajaj, a Chartered Counselling Psychologist said there is no fixed number of screen hours that automatically becomes harmful. "One of the biggest misconceptions is that there is a magic number of hours after which screens become harmful. The research doesn't support that," she said.
Instead, she stressed that parents should focus on how children use technology and whether it is replacing essential experiences such as play, social interaction and family time. "The question is whether technology is beginning to interfere with their wellbeing or everyday life," she said, warning that long-term overuse can affect attention, language development, emotional regulation and mental health.
Bajaj advised parents to watch for gradual changes, including difficulty concentrating away from screens, loss of interest in hobbies, compulsive phone use, emotional dependence on devices and disrupted sleep. She added: "What matters is the overall pattern and impact." Rather than counting hours, she encouraged parents to ask whether technology is "enriching my child's life, or is it starting to replace the experiences they need to grow and thrive?"
Building healthier digital habits
Recognising the warning signs is only part of the solution. Experts say parents also play a crucial role in shaping children's relationship with technology from an early age.
Many children rely on smartphones not only for entertainment but also for comfort, making it difficult to reduce screen time simply by taking devices away. Experts say replacing screens with meaningful alternatives is far more effective than outright bans.
Dr Bajaj highlighted that many parents feel caught in a difficult cycle, knowing their children spend too much time on their phones but struggling to reduce screen use without triggering conflict. "The biggest mistake families often make is trying to solve the problem by simply taking devices away," she said, explaining that restriction without healthier alternatives often increases arguments because phones have become a source of entertainment, relaxation and emotional regulation.
Instead, she encouraged parents to focus on building healthier digital habits rather than treating reduced screen use as a punishment. "Phones are tools, not emotional crutches," she said, adding that children benefit most when adults model balanced technology use through simple routines such as device-free meals and keeping phones out of bedrooms overnight.
Bajaj said gradual, consistent changes are more effective than sudden bans. She recommended creating screen-free periods as a family, involving children in setting household rules, and replacing screen time with rewarding activities such as outdoor play, hobbies, board games or spending quality time together.
She also urged parents to explore the emotions behind excessive phone use. "Instead of immediately saying, 'Put your phone away,' ask, 'What were you hoping your phone would do for you just now?'" she said, explaining that this helps children develop healthier coping strategies. Bajaj added that praising positive behaviours, such as putting a phone away voluntarily or choosing offline activities, is often more effective than criticism in building lasting habits.
