DHAKA, May 13, 2026 (BSS) - Rabiul (pseudonym), a Dhaka-based income tax lawyer, observed something troubling with his younger daughter. Unlike their eight-year-old son, who follows rules in studies and play, the three-year-old spoke very little and seemed increasingly stick to a mobile screen. At first, Rabiul and his wife dismissed it as a phase. But as their anxiety grew, they sought professional advice.

A child specialist diagnosed her with a speech delay and observed that excessive screen time was affecting her development. "Most parents cannot understand such problems due to limited knowledge," the specialist said.

This raises a larger question: is your child addicted to smartphones? The issue has grown from an occasional concern to a common reality in many households. 

Smartphones are now an inseparable part of life, but when they consume a child's time entirely, it becomes a problem. Before COVID-19, children's smartphone use was limited. The pandemic expanded it from necessity to habit, gradually becoming normalized and for some addictive.

Research accentuates the concern. A study conducted in 2024 in Bangladesh revealed that 86 percent of preschool children use smartphones regularly, with 29 percent showing severe addiction. Only 14 percent use them primarily for learning. Children in this 14 percent group or their vigilant parents manage to prevent excessive use. For the rest, controlling screen time is a challenge.

Experts suggest that addiction can be gradually reduced by redirecting children's attention to other activities, but it requires patience, effort and consistency.

Modern parenting contributes to the problem. With joint families becoming rare, parents often run multiple responsibilities with limited support. Unsafe neighborhoods, limited playgrounds and scarce outdoor spaces make children turn to smartphones for comfort and engagement. Urban planning often neglects parks and existing spaces may be inaccessible or unsafe. Without intervention, smartphones fill the void in children's lives.

So, how can parents help? Age-appropriate activities can replace screen time while fostering development. Drawing, singing, dancing, sports, cycling, swimming or learning musical instruments all could be alternatives. Simple educational activities like recognizing trees, birds, fruits or vegetables, storytelling and cultural exposure can stimulate young minds. Parents' involvement is crucial-spending quality time, observing their child's interests and guiding them accordingly makes a meaningful difference.

Preschools and daycare centers also offer structured environments and enrichment activities, though cost can be a barrier. Even parents with limited resources can play an active role by interacting with their children, understanding their preferences and planning schedules around engaging tasks. The goal isn't to abruptly remove screens, but to gradually shift attention to healthier, interactive activities.

Strong parent-child connections remain the key. A movie example from HabjiGabji (2022), directed by Raj Chakraborty, illustrates this vividly. In the film, busy parents fail to give attention to their son, who turns to a smartphone for companionship. Over time, his screen addiction intensifies, causing tension with his father. The story shows that the absence of parental engagement often drives children toward harmful habits, underlining the importance of family bonds in a child's emotional and social development.

Smartphone addiction among children is a modern reality, but it is not insurmountable. Awareness, parental involvement and creative engagement can redirect children from screens to learning, play and exploration. The challenge requires time and patience, but the reward a healthier, more active and connected child is worth it.