The Rising Costs of Mobile Phone Overuse

The overuse of mobile phones has become an epidemic in itself. Nowadays, people of all ages—from children to the elderly—remain glued to their mobile screens as if under a spell. Gradually, they are distancing themselves from real life while living under the illusion of a fabricated virtual reality. Mobile phones were originally invented to meet people’s communication needs, yet they have now become the primary source of entertainment for many.

POne of the main reasons behind people’s growing attachment to mobile phones is social media, which was initially designed to connect people across distances. Ironically, it has ended up disconnecting them. For instance, during family gatherings or social meetups, people may be physically present in the same space, yet their attention remains fixed on the blue glow of their devices. Individuals are separately occupied watching reels, chatting, uploading or checking stories, playing video games, or engaging in other activities on their phones. Although they are physically together, they are mentally far removed from one another. I have personally encountered this situation several times. As a result, children are growing up in an environment where people appear virtually connected but feel emotionally lonely in real life.

This small device has malevolent effects on people of all ages, but children are the most vulnerable. Children under five years of age who experience excessive screen time face an increased risk of myopia (nearsightedness), back and shoulder problems, obesity, sleep disturbances, poor brain development and problem-solving abilities, weak muscle coordination, impaired emotional regulation, and even delayed speech and communication skills. The impact of blue light and flickering screens is particularly harsh on children’s eyes. These effects include dry eyes, eye strain, allergic reactions, reduced blinking, and difficulty seeing distant objects. According to a study conducted on Chinese preschoolers, children exposed to more than 120 minutes of screen time per day were at a significantly higher risk of developing myopia. Several meta-analyses have also found a strong association between early-onset myopia and excessive screen time.

Prolonged screen use often leads to back and shoulder problems, as children remain in the same posture for extended periods. Childhood obesity is another major concern, as children become physically inactive—engrossed in mobile games instead of engaging in outdoor play. A study conducted in Malaysia revealed that 91.4% of obese children were exposed to excessive screen time, with 30% of them using handheld devices such as mobile phones. Moreover, blue light suppresses melatonin production—the hormone responsible for regulating sleep—leading to poor sleep quality, delayed sleep onset, and shorter sleep duration.

Excessive screen time restricts active physical movement, confining children to corners of their homes rather than allowing them to explore and play outside. This limitation contributes to weak motor coordination. Since the first five years of a child’s life are critical for cognitive development, excessive screen exposure during this period slows attention span, learning capacity, and problem-solving ability. Children who rely on screens for self-soothing may struggle to remain calm without a device, indicating poor emotional regulation.

Additionally, screen time delays speech and communication development by replacing real-life human interaction. Children learn to communicate by listening to real voices, acquiring diverse vocabulary, observing facial expressions, mimicking lip and tongue movements, and engaging in back-and-forth conversations. Two-dimensional cartoons cannot replicate these experiences, as they fail to demonstrate authentic human speech movements. Consequently, when mobile devices replace real-life interaction, children’s communication skills develop more slowly.

Another concerning issue is the nature of digital content itself. Children who excessively use mobile phones are often exposed to fast, shallow, and repetitive information such as reels, cartoons, and short videos. This creates a false sense of knowledge, causing them to mistake familiarity for mastery—a phenomenon known as the “familiarity illusion.” As a result, they overestimate their understanding and become less inclined to study deeply or patiently.

Reflecting on the experiences of children from the 1990s, cartoons were often watched repeatedly using CDs or DVDs. This repetition helped children learn new vocabulary, contexts, and usage. In contrast, today’s children have endless options, making repetition unlikely. Unknown words remain unlearned as children quickly move on to the next video. Furthermore, colorful apps, notification sounds, and one-tap access to entertaining content stimulate dopamine release—a hormone associated with pleasure and reward. Children who experience instant dopamine gratification become less interested in acquiring deep knowledge through activities such as observing nature, engaging in meaningful conversations, or reading books. As a result, qualities like patience, concentration, and sustained attention begin to feel boring. Creative activities such as building with blocks, drawing, or imaginative play become less appealing.

The internet also contains vast amounts of inappropriate content, including harmful language, advertisements, and videos. Due to social media algorithms, children can be exposed to such material easily. Unlike adults, children lack the ability to filter content, which can negatively and permanently impact their mental development.

Scientific research consistently shows that excessive mobile phone and screen usage not only increases physical health problems but also amplifies serious mental health issues across all age groups. A cross-sectional study involving 670 children aged 6 to 14 found that increased total screen time was significantly correlated with depression and emotional problems. Another recent U.S. study reported that children and adolescents who use screens for more than four hours daily face higher risks of anxiety and depression. Symptoms such as sadness, irritability, and difficulty regulating emotions are also strongly associated with prolonged screen exposure.

Behavioral research further suggests that excessive screen exposure may disrupt normal emotional development and self-regulation skills, leading to increased tantrums and difficulty coping without digital stimulation. Moreover, due to curiosity and a lack of awareness, children and adolescents are often exposed to harmful online content. Many adolescents also become involved in virtual crimes such as cyberbullying, online harassment, hacking, scamming, and even dark-web activities.

To address this serious issue constructively, families, educational institutions, and technology companies must work together. Parents should practice discretionary parenting to prevent excessive mobile phone usage. They must limit their own screen time to set a positive example. Rather than using smartphones as a quick solution for tantrums, parents should remain emotionally available and provide meaningful quality time. Screen time should be restricted according to a child’s age, with clearly defined “no-screen hours,” particularly before bedtime. Parents should carefully monitor online activities, use child-appropriate settings, and guide children in an understanding and supportive manner.

Encouraging outdoor play is essential, as it naturally regulates emotions and improves attention, mood, and patience. Device-free family time—such as shared meals, walks, games, storytelling, and discussions—can help restore emotional connection. Schools and institutions should implement awareness programs on screen overuse, screen addiction, and online safety. Teaching students about algorithms and dopamine loops can help them understand and manage their own behavior more consciously. Educational institutions should also minimize unnecessary dependence on digital devices and promote practical, interactive, and hands-on learning.

Technology companies also bear significant responsibility. They must adopt ethical design principles instead of addictive ones. Child-friendly app regulations should allow parents to enable child mode before handing over devices. Features such as endless scrolling and autoplay should be replaced with natural stopping points for children’s content. Social media safeguards must be strengthened to prevent underage users from creating personal accounts or accessing inappropriate material through adult profiles. Providing daily and weekly usage reports along with health-based recommendations can further support responsible usage. Ultimately, technology companies must prioritize children’s psychological well-being over profit.

There is no denying the crucial role mobile phones play in modern life. However, to achieve the best outcomes, they must be used wisely. Mobile phones are powerful tools for learning, education, and communication, but they should remain tools—not full-time companions. Rather than abolishing mobile phone usage, wise moderation is essential to ensure constructive and beneficial results.


Ashabori Kanti Disha is a student, 
Department of Law, University of Dhaka.