The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) has released a new health and hygiene handbook that emphasizes the need to regulate screen time to safeguard students' mental well-being. The handbook advocates a 'digital detox hour'—a daily 60-minute period during which students should abstain from all digital devices.
'Use this time to read, draw, talk to family or spend time in nature,' the handbook advises, highlighting that this practice can provide essential rest for the eyes, mind, and emotions.
Screen time among students surged during the Covid-19 pandemic when digital platforms became the primary mode of academic instruction in 2020 and 2021. However, reducing screen dependence has become a significant challenge in the post-pandemic era. Experts have consistently linked excessive screen use to mental health issues and overall well-being concerns.
The handbook is designed to guide affiliated schools in fostering healthy habits among students. It also instructs school heads to educate students, teachers, and parents about physical and mental wellness. Additionally, a 24x7 toll-free mental health helpline number has been included to support those experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
The handbook notes that overexposure to screens can affect youngsters' emotional health, potentially leading to emotional distress from social media comparisons, friendship issues, bullying, body-shaming, or excessive screen exposure. These factors can result in loneliness, anxiety, sadness, reduced confidence, disturbed sleep, poor concentration, strained relationships, and may indicate deeper issues such as anxiety or depression.
Many schools have already begun monitoring students' screen habits more closely and encouraging participation in offline activities and family time.
'Our counsellors conduct life skill classes for children. It is a double-period class held once a week, where they guide students on how to utilise their time for better activities,' said Seema Sapru, principal of The Heritage School. 'We teach them how to use the internet for meaningful and purposeful work instead of just for social media or watching reels. We give them project work every two to three days that they must complete at school. We always encourage them to build a reading habit and spend time with family, especially with parents and grandparents. We also remind parents from time to time not to give mobiles to their wards for personal use before a certain age.'
Mousumi Saha, principal of National English School, said, 'Aligned with the CISCE Health and Hygiene initiative, we have introduced the council's module on responsible digital habits in our moral science classes to address mobile addiction and protect students' well-being. This module has been shared across official parent WhatsApp groups to reinforce healthy digital boundaries at home.'
School counsellor Shovona Mukherji noted that excessive screen time affects students' concentration, sleep patterns, emotional well-being, and academic performance. 'It limits physical activity and meaningful social interaction, both of which are important for healthy development. Promoting responsible and balanced use of digital devices is essential for overall growth and mental health,' she said.
Several countries have taken strong measures to ban social media for children. Australia became the first country to ban social media for those under 16, blocking access to multiple online platforms. China has imposed restrictions on screen time for children and introduced app-specific rules, while Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, and Britain plan to introduce similar measures shortly.
