Authors: Sawani Gupta, Dr. Lalit Kumar
Abstract: The rapid rise of dual-income families and the fragmentation of traditional joint family systems in urban India has led to unprecedented reliance on digital devices for child supervision. This study explores the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical consequences of excessive screen exposure among preschool children. Evidence from neurodevelopmental research, public health surveys, and early childhood studies highlights the structural vulnerability of nuclear families relying on “digital babysitters,” revealing significant delays in language acquisition, social competence, emotional regulation, and attention span. The research emphasizes the urgent need for parental education, structured pedagogical interventions, clinical assessment, and policy reforms to mitigate the impact of screen exposure. Findings underscore the importance of integrating interactive play, reduced screen time, and digital literacy within family and early education settings to safeguard cognitive development and academic readiness.
DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20960624
