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Zero screen time.
I have a 9y old son and 4y old daughter . Son is very sensitivebto environment like noise, touch etc and intelligent. Daughter is not that sensitive but equally/more sharp.
Both of them are addicted to screens.
Son was playing Asphalt, minecraft.. watching YT shorts one after the other, building car models using 3D tuning, watching YT videos where people were playing Minecraft and reviewing real time. Till headaches, eyes red, 5-6 hours in a day.
Daughter was addicted to YT reels.
It's been 4 whole days I have stopped it. Switched to zero screen time (ph, tv, laptop). Grandma watches tv but they don't sit there as she mostly watches serials.
It's been hard for me as the only parent here - father lives in a different city and doens't bother about all this.
I want to know what to expect now and how and when at all to reintroduce screens safely within limits.
As for me, I'm just holding on with them.
Ps. There is a PS5 at their father's place where we will be shifting next year.
Answers (14)
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It is completely understandable that you are feeling exhausted and "just holding on" while managing this major transition for your children on your own. Taking away screens after they have been such a constant presence for your 9-year-old and 4-year-old is a massive challenge, and feeling overwhelmed as the primary parent is a very natural response.
Counseling can offer a supportive space to help your family navigate these big changes through a blend of different approaches. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help your children understand the connection between their screen use and their physical feelings, like the headaches and red eyes your son has experienced, while teaching them new ways to manage boredom or frustration. Additionally, Art Therapy can be a wonderful, low-pressure way for your sensitive children to express their feelings through drawing or building models much like the car models your son enjoys without needing to find the "right" words. This combination can help them build healthier habits and give you the tools to reintroduce screens safely in the future.
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try counseling
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consult
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Hi, it's a great step you have taken.
Just a query, is there any issues after screen withdrawl?
Please try to engage with them with other activities like reading books, playing quiz, going out etc. I know it's hard for a single parent to do all these, that too without screen time. If possible, send them to any extra curricular activity classes.
Regarding the last part, communicate with your husband regarding these issues and tell him that he has equal responsibilities as a parent. PS5 can be an option for leisure activity and should be used once or twice in a month. At your new place also, replace screen time with other activities. But this should not be your responsibility only.
Next Steps
If possible, connect with a psychologist and discuss, also engage your husband in the session.
Health Tips
Please take care of your mental health and reach out for help if you feel exhausted or tired.
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Hi,
It's commendable that you've taken the step to stop screen time for your children, especially considering their sensitivities and the current signs of overuse like headaches and eye redness. Expect some initial challenges: your son and daughter might feel restless, irritable, or crave screens more initially due to their habits. They might also seek comfort in familiar routines or show increased emotional sensitivity, especially since your son is sensitive to environmental stimuli. During this transition, focus on establishing a calm, structured environment with plenty of physical activity, creative play, and outdoor time to help them channel their energy positively. Consistency is keyâset clear, gentle limits on screen time, and gradually reintroduce screens in controlled, short durations, emphasizing quality content over quantity. Involving them in alternative activities, like art, storytelling, or puzzles, can also help reduce dependency. As they adapt, monitor their reactions, and aim for a balanced routine that includes screen time as a special activity rather than a default. Remember, this process takes timeâpatience and consistency will help them adjust better, and over time, they'll learn healthier habits. When you move the PS5 to their father's place next year, plan to set clear rules about its use, ensuring it doesn't replace other essential activities like play, study, and sleep. You're doing a great job by prioritising their well-beingâstay patient, and seek support from local resources or parenting groups if needed.
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Consult
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seek help
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Children often turn to addictive behaviors (screens, games, substances, or habits) because they’re trying to cope with boredom, stress, loneliness, pressure, or unmet emotional needs not because they’re “bad.” To help, the focus should be on connection before correction.
Next Steps
Spend intentional time with them, listen without judgment, set gentle but consistent boundaries, and offer healthier alternatives that meet the same need fun, comfort, escape, or belonging. Reducing addiction takes patience, routine, emotional safety, and role-modeling balanced behavior. When children feel understood, supported, and engaged in real-life relationships, their need to escape slowly reduces.
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It needs to be addressed in a holistic approach for complete recovery.
Needs counseling sessions to overcome the gaming addiction issues.
You need an expert counseling psychologist asap.
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I have been working as a Homeopathic Psychiatrist and Counseling psychologist for the last 17 years of experience. You can contact me through an online appointment for further assistance.
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Hi
Nowadays this problem is very common in children don’t worry it is curable you can try playing with your children outdoors games and other creative activities if you can’t able do that then you come to me and book appointment
Thank
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Hi
It might be possible that your children are having some form of addiction to screen. However nothing can be said unless a clinical psychologist evaluates and confirms a diagnosis.
Next Steps
Consult a clinical psychologist asap.
Health Tips
U can help them engage in other equally stimulating activities to reduce screen time.
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You’ve taken a very important and courageous step by stopping excessive screen exposure, especially given that you are managing this largely on your own. What you are seeing in both children fits with screen overuse leading to nervous system overstimulation, which is more pronounced in children who are sensitive to sound, light, and sensory input (like your son).
Fast-paced games, YouTube shorts, and continuous visual input strongly stimulate the brain’s reward system. Over time, children need more and more screen input to feel settled, and this can lead to headaches, eye strain, irritability, reduced frustration tolerance, and dependency.
Your decision to pause screens completely for now is developmentally appropriate.
Over the next 1–3 weeks, you may notice:
Increased irritability, boredom, emotional outbursts (this is withdrawal, not harm)
Gradual improvement in sleep, attention span, imagination, and emotional regulation
This phase is temporary and expected.
Next Steps
Maintain zero or near-zero screen time for at least 2–3 weeks to allow the nervous system to reset.
Replace screens with predictable routines: outdoor play, drawing, Lego, pretend play, reading, household involvement.
For your son, provide sensory-regulating activities (cycling, swimming, clay, deep-pressure play) to help manage sensitivity.
When you reintroduce screens, do so slowly and intentionally, not daily at first.
Health Tips
Avoid short-form content (YouTube shorts/reels) completely — these are the most addictive.
If screens are reintroduced later, keep it time-limited (20–30 minutes), supervised, and content-specific (no auto-play).
Maintain consistent rules across caregivers as much as possible
Do not rely on screens for emotional soothing — teach calming alternatives instead.
Take care of yourself as well; parenting without support is exhausting, and your stress matters too.
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I understand it is difficult to manage kids alone. The best way to reduce screen time is by replacing it with physical and creative activities like joining football, table tennis, drawing, crafts, piano or any other class. This helps children to learn new skills and activates the brain in the right way.
Next Steps
contact me for parent counseling at nine eight seven one four five six eight four seven.
Health Tips
keep kids away from video gaming. this can be addictive if left unchecked.
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Mr. Gunjan Maithil
Psychologist
13 yrs exp
Bangalore
Hi...You have done the right thing by reducing her screen time to zero and you need to do the same with your son, to help him overcome this addiction. Once you do that you need to understand that your kids have ample space, tools, and company to channelize their energy into some form of physical activity or sport. Even playing in sand or park with other kids, running around in open space, and using open gym/ exercise tools in parks, etc is good. Now, how to bring about this change in their routine is the difficult part. You need to be patient and initially just take them to place where they see other kids playing or doing physical activity. You just need to take them to a nearby common place and keep taking them regularly for 1hr in evening/morning, whatever is possible. Let them interact and find their choice of activity. Encourage them to interact with other kids but do not force them. They will gradually pick up an activity and your work will reduce. Once they reach their father's place, both of you can decide how to create a physically active routine for them. If no such place is available, find a sport or marital arts or dance training facility nearby and ask them what they want to join.
Next Steps
Consult a Psychologist.
Parent/ Child Counselling is required.
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Mr. Gunjan Maithil
Senior Psychologist
Cell: nine six seven one three zero three one three four
Website: https://gunjanmaithil.wixsite.com/therapy
App: http://wix.to/fechb08?ref=cl
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Ms. Komal Singh Parihar
Psychologist
7 yrs exp
Navi Mumbai
Hi,
You’ve taken a very brave and important step by stopping excessive screen time, especially considering you are handling this mostly on your own. What your children are experiencing now is screen withdrawal, which is common after long hours of gaming and short-form videos. Irritability, restlessness, boredom, emotional sensitivity, headaches, and resistance are expected during the first 1–2 weeks.
Your son’s sensory sensitivity and intelligence suggest he may get overstimulated easily by screens, while your daughter’s reel addiction affects attention and emotional regulation. This does not mean you’ve done anything wrong—it simply means their brains were overstimulated and now need time to reset.
Next Steps
Continue with zero or minimal screen time for at least 2–3 weeks to allow their nervous systems to calm down. Once behavior, sleep, and emotional regulation improve, screens can be reintroduced slowly and with structure, not suddenly.
If either child shows extreme emotional outbursts, sleep issues, aggression, or persistent distress beyond a few weeks, consulting a child psychologist can help with guidance and routine planning.
Health Tips
• Expect initial resistance and emotional meltdowns—this will reduce gradually.
• Replace screens with structured activities: outdoor play, cycling, art, puzzles, Lego, board games, reading aloud.
• Keep a predictable daily routine—children feel safer with structure.
• When reintroducing screens later:
• No reels/shorts or autoplay content
• Fixed timing (e.g., 20–30 minutes, 3–4 days a week)
• Screens only after homework, play, and meals
• No screens before bedtime
• Be consistent—mixed rules confuse children more than strict ones.
• For the future PS5 setup, decide rules before introducing it (time limits, shared play, off days).
And for you—please remember: doing this alone is emotionally exhausting. Your effort, consistency, and concern show strong parenting. Take small breaks, ask for support where possible, and be kind to yourself. You are holding things together better than you feel.
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Ms. Rizwana Parvin T M
Counselling Psychologist
7 yrs exp
Coimbatore
Zero screen time is a no no. Balance technology and nature. In this advanced time you have to allow the screen one hour with parental control set in phone and tablets.
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Ms. Smriti
Counselling Psychologist
18 yrs exp
Bangalore
Kindly connect with psychologist for assessment
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consult
Health Tips
connect
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