Name: Gitika Johal
Country: India

Year: 2024
Volume: Volume-14, Issue-2 (July-Dec)
Page Number: 56-64

The digital age has revolutionized childhood experiences, with children increasingly immersed in screens for education, entertainment, and social interaction. While moderate screen exposure offers cognitive and informational benefits, excessive and unguided screen time has been linked to adverse emotional and behavioural outcomes. This study explores the relationship between screen time and emotional regulation among Indian children aged 8–14 years—a critical period of socio-emotional development. Employing a mixed-method design, data was gathered from 300 children across urban and rural settings in India, alongside inputs from parents and teachers. Quantitative findings revealed a significant negative correlation between screen time and emotional regulation skills, particularly among children with over 4 hours of daily screen exposure. Qualitative themes uncovered frequent mood swings, irritability, impulsive reactions, and emotional withdrawal. The content type (educational vs. enter