A new study by researchers at icddr,b has uncovered alarming levels of digital screen use among school‑going children in Dhaka, sparking serious concerns about sleep loss, obesity, headaches, eye strain and deteriorating mental health.
The research conducted between 2022 and 2024 across six schools, including both Bangla‑medium and English‑medium institutions assessed 420 children aged 6 to 14. The findings, now published in JMIR Human Factors, paint a troubling picture of how deeply screens have infiltrated children’s daily lives.
According to the study, more than 83% of children exceed the internationally recommended limit of two hours of recreational screen time per day. On average, children were spending 4.6 hours daily on smartphones, televisions, tablets, computers and gaming devices more than double what experts advise.
The health consequences are already visible. Researchers found that over one‑third of the children reported eye problems, while a staggering 80% experienced frequent headaches. Those using screens for more than two hours a day were also sleeping significantly less, averaging just 7.3 hours per night, well below the recommended 8-10 hours needed for healthy brain development.
The study also revealed that 14% of the children were overweight or obese, with higher rates among those exposed to excessive screen time. Health experts warn that chronic sleep deprivation and prolonged digital exposure can impair memory, concentration, emotional regulation, physical growth and overall mental well‑being.
Perhaps most concerning, the findings show that two in every five children were suffering from at least one mental health‑related issue including anxiety, hyperactivity, behavioural challenges and emotional distress.
As Dhaka’s children grow increasingly tethered to screens, researchers say the findings should serve as a wake‑up call for parents, educators and policymakers to take urgent action.
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