A new study by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) has found that 83% of school-going children in Dhaka spend more than two hours a day on digital devices, exceeding internationally recommended recreational screen time limits.
The study, conducted between 2022 and 2024, surveyed 420 children aged six to 14 from six schools in the capital, including Bangla- and English-medium institutions.
The findings were published in JMIR Human Factors.
According to the study, children spent an average of 4.6 hours a day using smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets and gaming devices.
Researchers observed several health problems associated with prolonged screen exposure.
More than one-third of the children reported eye-related problems, while around 80% frequently experienced headaches.
Children with higher screen use also slept less, averaging only 7.3 hours a night, below the recommended eight to 10 hours needed for healthy development.
The study also found that about 14% of the children were overweight or obese, with higher rates among those exposed to screens for extended periods.
Around two out of every five children showed signs of mental health problems, including anxiety, hyperactivity, emotional distress and behavioural issues.
Researchers said late-night device use can interfere with natural sleep cycles and overstimulate the brain, while long hours spent indoors with screens may reduce physical activity and outdoor play.
Extended use of digital devices can also contribute to eye strain, headaches, poor concentration and reduced social interaction, they said.
Lead researcher Dr Shahria Hafiz Kakon, assistant scientist at icddr,b, advised parents to watch for warning signs such as poor sleep, irritability, headaches, reduced outdoor activity and difficulty concentrating, as these may indicate harmful effects of excessive screen exposure.
Researchers also recommended the “20-20-20” rule to reduce eye strain: after every 20 minutes of screen use, children should look at an object about 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, executive director of icddr,b, said digital devices are now part of modern education and daily life, but children need balanced and healthy usage habits.
He encouraged parents to promote outdoor activities, adequate sleep, device-free family time and extracurricular engagement such as reading, debates and gardening.
The researchers said technology should not be banned altogether, but healthier digital habits and awareness programmes should be introduced at homes and schools to encourage responsible screen use among children.
