Indian children are spending close to a school day's worth of time online, and many of them are paying for it with their sleep and peace of mind. A study supported by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), which surveyed more than 2,000 children aged 9 to 14 in Delhi schools and about 500 parents, found that children spend around 4.5 hours a day on the internet. Anxiety, sleep disturbances and mood changes were the health effects they reported most often.
About the study
The research, titled "Empowering Children in the Digital Age: Analysing Experiences and Vulnerabilities within the Framework of Vision Viksit Bharat and Sustainable Development Goals", was carried out in 2025. Researchers spoke to students in Delhi schools and separately to parents to understand how children use the internet, what risks they face and whether they talk about those risks at home.
| Finding | Figure |
|---|---|
| Children surveyed | Over 2,000, aged 9 to 14, in Delhi schools |
| Parents surveyed | About 500 |
| Access the internet from home | 97.6%, mostly on smartphones |
| Average time online | About 4.5 hours a day |
| Talked to strangers online in last six months | About 47% |
| Most reported health effects | Anxiety, sleep disturbances, mood changes |
| Main stated purpose | Studying, followed by games, videos and chatting with friends |
Key findings
Almost every child is online at home
Nearly all the children, 97.6%, said they access the internet from home, and the smartphone is the main device. Studying was the most common reason they gave, followed by online games, videos and talking to friends. The line between "study time" and "screen time" is clearly blurring for this age group.
Anxiety, sleep and mood
The most reported health effects were anxiety, disturbed sleep and changes in mood. For children aged 9 to 14, who need plenty of sleep for growth, concentration and emotional balance, late-night scrolling and gaming can quietly eat into rest. Doctors have long advised that screens be kept away in the hour before bed for this reason.
Talking to strangers, staying silent
About 47% of the children said they had talked to unknown people online in the previous six months. A few reported cyberbullying or someone impersonating them. Most did not tell their parents or teachers about uncomfortable experiences, even though many said parents would be their preferred person to report to. That gap between wanting to tell and actually telling is one of the most worrying parts of the study.
Boys and girls face different risks
Boys used the internet more than girls, and their greater social freedom exposed them to more harmful content. Girls, on the other hand, often had restricted access, which the researchers say can leave them with weaker digital skills and less ability to protect themselves online.
What it means for parents in India
The study's main recommendation is digital literacy, not just for children but for parents too, with schools playing an active role in what it calls a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach. Banning phones outright is rarely practical when homework, classes and friendships have moved online. Instead, parents can try a few simple steps:
- Agree on fixed screen-free times, especially at meals and the hour before bedtime.
- Keep phones and tablets out of the bedroom at night and charge them in a common room.
- Ask open questions about what your child watches, plays and who they chat with, without reacting with anger.
- Teach children never to share personal details, photos or location with people they do not know offline.
- Use parental controls and privacy settings, and learn how the apps your child uses actually work.
- Watch for signs like irritability, falling grades, trouble sleeping or withdrawal, and speak to a paediatrician or school counsellor if they persist.
Equally important is making sure children feel safe telling you when something goes wrong online. If a child fears losing the phone every time they report a problem, they are more likely to stay quiet.
What happens next
The findings add to a growing debate in India about children's online safety, from age-appropriate design of apps to digital literacy in school curricula. Researchers want schools and parents to work together on teaching safe online habits, and want girls' digital skills to get specific attention. For families, the takeaway is simple: the goal is not zero screen time, but healthier screen habits built on conversation and trust.
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