Reality shows that children are being exposed to electronic devices at a very early age. Some children are allowed to watch phones while eating when they are only a few years old; others in the fourth or fifth grade already own smartphones, easily accessing online games, short videos, and social networks. Meanwhile, cyberspace contains a lot of unverified information and unselective entertainment content, even with violent or toxic elements that are inappropriate for their age.

The case of child N.T.N. in Điện Biên Phủ ward is an example. Since starting weaning, the family has allowed the child to watch the phone to “lure” them into eating. Initially, it was just a few minutes at the end of the meal, but then it gradually became a habit. Whenever the baby cried, threw a tantrum, or adults were busy, the phone was brought out as the quickest way to soothe them. As the child grew older, they used their parents’ phones to watch videos and play games. The family even bought an additional tablet, thinking a larger screen would be “less harmful to the eyes”. Up to now, N. is in the fifth grade, but their studying is mostly just to cope. After school hours, the child often spends most of their time on the phone watching videos or playing games.

In reality today, many parents notice that their children are increasingly finding it difficult to focus, showing decreased interest in learning, physical activity, and direct communication. However, changing this habit is not easy because, in a busy life, many families once viewed electronic devices as a temporary solution to keep children sitting still, eating well, or playing by themselves while adults did other work. Over time, dependency on electronic screens is formed by both the child’s habit and the uncontrolled care of adults.

According to medical experts, electronic devices such as phones, tablets, and televisions all emit blue light. Using them for a long time, especially in the evening, can disrupt sleep patterns, making it hard for children to fall asleep, sleep late, and feel less alert the next day. Children constantly looking down at screens are also prone to neck, shoulder, and nape pain, affecting their posture and spine. Along with that, a lack of physical activity increases the risk of overweight, obesity, and reduced physical endurance.

More worryingly, when overly engrossed in the virtual world, children easily narrow their direct communication with family and friends. Some children become irritable when reminded, losing patience with learning activities, reading books, and outdoor play. At a severe level, dependency on electronic devices can be related to psychological problems, behavioral disorders, and reduced concentration.

It is reported that some major hospitals, such as the National Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital 2 in Hồ Chí Minh City, have received children with symptoms of Tic-like movement disorders, presenting signs like blinking, muscle twitching, and involuntary repetitive movements. In many cases, children have a history of excessive use of electronic devices, especially watching phones for long periods. For mild cases, when screen exposure is reduced or stopped, physical activity is increased, and daily routines are adjusted, symptoms can improve. If prolonged, children need specialized examination and counseling to avoid deeper impacts on mental health and development.

At the Điện Biên Phủ Medical Center, doctor Lưu Thị Lan, Head of the Pediatrics Department, stated that during the examination process, many children show symptoms related to excessive use of electronic devices, such as sleep disorders, eye strain, decreased focus, and a lack of physical activity.

According to Lưu Thị Lan, parents should not view phones as a solution to soothe children, as once a habit is formed, adjustment becomes much more difficult. Lưu Thị Lan recommended that parents establish principles for using electronic devices right from the start. For young children, watching phones should be minimized, especially during meals and before bedtime. For older children, usage time needs to be clearly regulated, prioritizing healthy educational and entertainment content, while increasing alternative activities such as reading books, playing sports, doing housework, and chatting with relatives.

The issue does not lie in absolutely banning phones or tablets, as technological devices also have positive aspects if used correctly. What matters is that adults must accompany, guide, and control appropriately. Parents also need to set an example, reducing the habit of constantly holding phones in front of their children, and spending time listening to and playing with them instead of abandoning them to screens.

With only about one week left, students of all levels will enter their summer vacation. This is a time when children have plenty of free time, making the risk of prolonged use of phones and tablets more likely to occur. If families do not proactively build a reasonable daily schedule, the summer break can easily become a time when children depend even more on electronic devices. A summer plan balanced between learning, physical activity, reading books, experiencing, and resting will help children use technology more safely, while reducing unpredictable consequences from the habit of letting phones act as “babysitters” in the family.