KARACHI: Pakistan’s senior paediatricians have warned that early exposure to mobile phones can negatively affect children’s mental, psychological, and behavioural development.
The experts expressed concern over growing parental negligence during early childhood while speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day national paediatrics conference organised by the Paediatric Association of Pakistan (PPA)-Sindh on Saturday.
Addressing the conference, they emphasised that a mother’s role is central to a child’s mental and emotional development. They noted that children’s brains develop through constant interaction with parents and their surrounding environment, especially during the early years.
“Many mothers unknowingly place mobile phones in front of crying children to distract them. This practice can seriously affect a child’s cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional growth,” they said, adding that mental health disorders are now appearing at increasingly younger ages.
The speakers also highlighted poor breastfeeding practices as a major threat to child development. They expressed concern over the growing reliance on bottle feeding, which increases children’s vulnerability to disease, disability, and even death.
The experts reiterated that breastfeeding strengthens immunity, builds self-confidence, and is legally mandated for the first two years of a child’s life.
Speaking on healthcare access, the experts, said the conference aimed to develop strategies to bridge the gap between illness and treatment, particularly in remote areas. They stressed the importance of telemedicine to provide timely medical care to newborns and children in rural regions.
They urged parents to seek timely treatment from qualified doctors, stating that early diagnosis and prompt care are critical in saving children’s lives.
The speakers also discussed efforts to enforce laws against the sale of artificial milk, noting that formula should only be used when prescribed by a doctor.
The experts further stressed that vaccination is a basic right of every child and plays a vital role in protecting against preventable diseases.
Several senior professionals shared their insights. The two-day conference includes sessions on disease prevention, infectious and gastrointestinal diseases, mental health, pulmonology, and neurology.
Early childhood is a critical period for brain development, and experts worldwide increasingly recommend limiting screen exposure for infants and toddlers.
