Screen Addiction - Classes 7 & 8

Today’s students are growing up surrounded by digital media and technology. From social media and online games to streaming platforms and even AI, technology is part of everyday life. But it is easy to overdo it when the phone never stops pinging and the next episode plays automatically. Screen addiction in children has been recognised as a major problem.

An overwhelming 85% of Indian parents express difficulty managing their children’s online content consumption. Source

A study in Maharashtra found that 22% of children aged 9 to 17 reportedly spend more than six hours a day on screens. Source

A study in rural Pune found that 83.2% of secondary school children had excessive screen time, primarily on mobile phones, which was associated with inadequate sleep. Source

Excessive screen use can contribute to aggression, restlessness, poor sleep, anxiety, and depression in children and adolescents, affecting brain function, social-emotional development, and physical health.

What we did in the workshop

Instead of prescribing rigid rules about screen time, we conducted a workshop with students in Grades 8 and 9 on the science behind screen addiction. This helped students understand how technology can be designed in ways that undermine their well-being. The workshop prompted students to reflect on their personal experiences, identify design patterns, and develop individual strategies that work best for them.

Revision materials

A revision workshop was planned to reinforce the concept of “addictive design” before the students’ Diwali vacation. Open the revision document

Students were to receive a worksheet to complete during their Diwali vacation. (Teacher worksheet with answers)

Students were also to receive a family information sheet with tips for limiting screen time during their Diwali vacation.