Alia Bhatt On Limiting Raha’s Screen Time: Doctors Warn Unmonitored Screen Time Can Cause Serious Developmental Delays

Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt has always been vocal about parenting choices regarding her daughter Raha Kapoor, whom she welcomed with Ranbir Kapoor in 2022. Recently on Jay Shetty’s podcast, Alia shared her concerns about Raha’s screen time, revealing that her mother, Soni Razdan, even reflected on her own parenting, wondering if allowing Alia to watch a lot of TV as a child was the right decision.

Alia reflected on her childhood and the impact of television on her imagination, saying, “I was fascinated by television. That’s something I remember very clearly from when I was growing up. In fact, my mum and I speak about it right now because she said, ‘My god, was I a horrible mother?’ Because right now, I’m so conscious of my daughter’s screen time. Not like she’s had any major screen time at all; she’s not even looked at the iPad.”

The actress further added, “Even if she’s watching a song on television, I’m like, we should limit the time. My mother said, ‘Was I a horrible mother? Because we just let you be in front of the TV, that’s what seemed normal at the time.’ I was like, no, you weren’t horrible. It was a new phenomenon at that time.”

Alia acknowledged that television played a role in sparking her creativity and storytelling abilities. “I’m grateful that my mother didn’t stop me from being in front of the television because a lot of my dreaming and imagining and getting lost in the world started from there.”

But how much screen time is too much screen time? When should you stop your toddler from being addicted to TV? Are there any brain development delays due to excessive screen time? We got in touch with experts who share their insights and share screen time guidelines for children.

The Expert Take On Screen Time And Child Development

Alia’s approach to limiting screen time is valid with growing awareness about its impact on children’s cognitive and emotional development. Doctors believe that there is a need to regulate screen exposure for young children to prevent potential developmental delays and health concerns.

Dr Shreya Dubey, Consultant - Paediatrics and Neonatology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, explains that while excessive screen time does not cause autism, it can lead to speech delays, poor social skills, and attention deficits, often resembling autism-like symptoms. This phenomenon is termed 'virtual autism' and can be reversed with reduced screen exposure and increased real-world interactions. “A completely screen-free experience is recommended for children under two years, while older children should have limited and supervised screen time. Prioritizing outdoor play, interactive learning, and family engagement ensures healthier cognitive and emotional development,” Dr Dubey says.

Screen Time Guidelines for Children

Dr Shruti Lanjewar Wasnik, Consultant Ophthalmologist (Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Services) at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, shares the screen time recommendations:

These recommendations align with the guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other international health organizations. Screen time includes exposure to televisions, mobile phones, tablets, and gaming devices.

The Harmful Effects of Excessive Screen Time

Experts warn that excessive screen exposure in children can lead to several health and behavioural issues, including:

What Can Parents Do?

To prevent the negative impact of excessive screen time, experts recommend parents take proactive steps:

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