WHO Warns Social Media, Gaming And AI Are Affecting Children's Health

Children's health is no longer influenced only by what they eat, how much they exercise or whether they get enough sleep. The digital world that they are growing up in is becoming equally important.The World Health Organization (WHO) has now urged governments across the world to recognise social media, online gaming and generative artificial intelligence (AI) as major determinants of children's health. In a joint message, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and French President Emmanuel Macron called for stronger regulation of digital platforms and age-appropriate safeguards to protect young users.The warning comes as evidence continues to grow linking excessive digital exposure to anxiety, depression, poor sleep, aggression, loneliness

and also suicidal behaviour among children and adolescents. WHO also highlighted rising concerns over online sexual exploitation, AI-generated child abuse imagery, misinformation and targeted digital marketing aimed at young users.Also Read: L7 Bassist Jennifer Finch Dies at 59 After Brain Cancer Battle: Understanding the Symptoms and Risks While conversations around children's mental health often focus on diagnosed conditions, experts say the earliest warning signs are way too subtle. As per Dr Nand Kumar, Professor of Psychiatry at AIIMS, children rarely visit a psychiatrist because they are spending too much time on screens. Instead, the impact slowly becomes visible in their everyday lives.

India Is Seeing The Warning Signs; Know The Data

The data shows a similar pattern in India.A nationwide survey conducted by the National Council of CBSE Schools (NCCS), covering nearly 6.3 lakh respondents, found that 74% of CBSE students spend more than two hours a day on screens for non-academic purposes, while 21% spend over four hours daily on mobile phones, gaming and social media.In fact, teachers are also noticing the effects inside classrooms. Nearly 69% reported declining concentration and attention spans, 63% are going through anxiety and irritability, and 66% said children were participating less in outdoor activities.The Economic Survey 2025-26 has also identified digital addiction as an emerging public health concern in our country, especially among young people aged 15 to 24 years. It links excessive screen use with anxiety, depression, low self esteem, cyberbullying, compulsive scrolling, gaming disorders and social withdrawal. This concern is shown in the growing demand for mental health support as well. Since its launch in October 2022, the government's Tele-MANAS helpline has received more than 32 lakh calls, highlighting the increasing need for mental health interventions across the country.Also Read: Sonam Wangchuk Health Update Today: Says 'Feeling Fine,' Urges Doctors to Let Him Leave HospitalKeeping in mind these risks, many states have begun implying stricter rules. Karnataka has proposed banning social media access for children below 16 years of age, Andhra Pradesh has also suggested restrictions for those under 13, while Goa is exploring similar measures. During his recent visit to Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Canberra's decision to prohibit children under 16 from accessing platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and X, saying India is studying the move and drawing lessons from it.