Many children are suffering from physical and mental problems as they spend long hours using computers, smartphones and watching TV channels for studies and entertainment amid the closure of educational institutions for over a year due to the Covid outbreak.

Parents and physicians say that complaints of headaches, eye problems and stress are growing among many children as they spend more times now ever before on devices and gadgets for attending online classes, doing homework, socialisation with friends and relatives, and for entertainment since the closure of institutions from March 2020.

Over dependency on devices was causing dry eye syndrome, burning sensation of eyes, and noise-induced deafness caused by prolonged use of headphones to many urban children, they said adding that such bad habits had an adverse impact on their mental health, besides leading to various complications like developing aggressiveness and psychosomatic syndrome.

Over-device dependency might also lead to an addiction, which is also considered a disease globally, they said. Internet, digital devices and gadgets, however, are considered to be blessings of science and technology when those are properly and safely used, they added.

Former National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital director Professor Mohit Kamal and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University ophthalmology department professor Nujhat Choudhury said that a significant number of child patients with eyes and mental problems have been approaching them since March 2020.

‘Over dependency on devices and internet addiction is a growing concern in Bangladesh like in many other countries of the world and the problem is acute among urban children amid the closure of educational institutions,’ eminent psychiatrist Mohit Kamal told New Age on Thursday.

‘We cannot give specific data regarding the worsening of the problem in the past one year as no study has so far been carried out on the subject. But it is true that we are getting more patients than before the emergence of Covid-19 as many children and adolescents are suffering from mental problems caused by device dependencies, lack of opportunities for socialisation and outdoor entertainment,’ Mohit said.

‘Over dependency on devices at an early age is also harmful to normal physical and mental growth,’ Mohit said, adding that unmonitored access to devices and the internet was also contributing to pornography addiction.

Professor Nujhat said that dry eyes syndrome and computer vision syndrome, which used to be found mostly among people aged over 40 years, are now becoming common among children for their prolonged and interrupted visions onscreen both online and offline.

‘As a result, they suffer from various eye problems like headache, dryness of eyes, reddish eyes, vision problems, eye burns, sleeplessness and others. Sleeplessness makes them reckless and aggressive. It is also harmful to the proper development of the brain,’ she said.

Ideal School and College principal Shahan Ara Begum, South Point School and College principal Hamida Ali and Government Laboratory High School and College headteacher Md Abu Sayeed Bhuiyan said that the schools take uninterrupted online classes for three periods for the secondary and two periods for the primary students.

Students are also instructed to complete homework following sheets they provide through WhatsApp or other apps and to attend classes broadcast on Sangsad TV following the government instructions.

Parents and children said that attending classes for hours every day and following homework instructions and note sheets on WhatsApp was stressful for the eyes of the children.

‘It is sometimes over stressful on the eyes to read small letters that teachers send using mobile apps,’ said Fabi, a Class VII student, who took spectacles last December after suffering from headache and eye burns.

Foyez Ahmed, a private service holder, said that he had to take her daughter for counselling as the higher secondary student became frustrated and destructive staying at home for months. ‘She is now better after taking extensive care following the guidelines of a psychologist,’ Fayez said.

Psychiatrist Mohit Kamal and Dhaka University clinical psychology department professor Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman said that the parents must spend quality time with their children to give them company and proper guidance amid the closure of educational institutions.

‘The entire society is now becoming self-centred and dependent on the devices. It must be changed. We must use technologies but we should also learn their proper use for enjoying a healthy life,’ Mahmudur said.

Ophthalmologists suggest the government and schools to set online class routines giving breaks as done in many other countries of the world including neighbouring India.

‘During the breaks, t