A 16-year-old boy and his mother visited Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, their GP, one busy Monday. The boy had recently been to A&E after a self-harm attempt, and doctors there suggested antidepressants. But Chatterjee hesitated. He believed in understanding the root of the boy’s distress.
During their talk, he learned that the boy spent a lot of time on screens, especially at night. Chatterjee suspected this screen use harmed the boy’s mental health. So, they established a plan to unplug from screens an hour before bedtime, slowly increasing this screen-free time over six weeks. After two months, the boy was doing much better. His mother later shared with Chatterjee how her son had transformed, engaging more with friends and exploring new hobbies.
Chatterjee feels the growing presence of screens in children’s lives is a pressing public health concern. He notes that the effects have been apparent to healthcare providers for over a decade. Countries like Australia and Spain are taking action against social media exposure for children under 16. In the UK, parent-led groups advocate for similar changes. Chatterjee argues that the legal age for social media should be 18, like gambling. He believes children need protection from forces they aren’t equipped to handle.
Tech giants, according to Chatterjee, have too much power over children’s well-being. If we expect them to prioritize our kids’ health, we are being naive. Adults often struggle to manage their screen time—how can children be expected to fare any better? Chatterjee explains that young people’s decision-making skills aren’t fully developed until around 25.
Research highlights the dangers of excessive screen time. For example, each extra hour significantly raises the risk of myopia in children. Studies show that prolonged screen exposure can lead to anxiety, sleep issues, and even social challenges. Chatterjee emphasizes, “We may be raising a generation that lacks self-worth and social skills,” noting alarming statistics like how a large percentage of children have encountered pornography online.
In his experience, many parents feel overwhelmed, often turning to screens as a solution to keep kids entertained, especially during tough economic times. Chatterjee understands this challenge but stresses that change is necessary. He advocates for abolishing screen-based homework, as exposure to screens can impact children’s sleep patterns.
Though Chatterjee stepped back from traditional practice two years ago, he uses his platform to reach more people, stressing preventive health. He believes much of what doctors deal with stems from lifestyle choices. He suggests integrating health coaches into GP practices to better address the influence of modern lifestyles on health.
His reflections also touch on his father’s experiences as a doctor from India. Chatterjee recalls the discrimination his father faced, which shaped his outlook on life’s challenges. This background drives him to seek meaningful change for future generations.
Chatterjee believes relationships are key to happiness. He’s learned through personal experience that love and genuine connection outweigh societal success. “The quality of your relationships is the number one factor for long-term happiness,” he says.
As our conversation concludes, he fears that excessive screen time is pushing us away from meaningful interactions. He encourages everyone to be mindful of technology’s impact on their lives, especially regarding how we connect with ourselves and each other. Balancing screen time and being present can lead to healthier, happier lives.
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