Digital media and Child Development : An ayurvedic and Contemporary Review
*Rituraj Tripathi
Department of Rasashastra Evam Bhaishajya Kalpana Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Smarak Government Ayurveda College and Hospital, Handia, Prayagaraj - 221503 (India) Corresponding author : Dr. Rituraj Tripathi rituraj.ayu@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Child development involves biological and psychological growth from dependency to autonomy, explained in Ayurveda through Sharira Vriddhi, Manasika Vikas, and the balance of Dosha, Agni, Ojas, Satva, and Bala. In the 21st century, television, computers, mobiles, online games and use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) have become integral to children’s lives. With increasing availability of digital media, adolescents are exposed to global information, often unsupervised, leading to harmful behaviours such as aggression, unsafe sex, and substance use. The electronics market in India grew from US$ 11.5 billion in 2004 to US$ 40 billion by 2010, surged to US$ 73.3 billion in 2021, and reached US$ 180 billion in 2024, with projections of US$ 300 billion ahead. Yet, research shows excessive exposure retards language development, displaces normal learning, and causes poor sleep, irritability and developmental delays. Thus, Digital Media are mixed blessings, and balanced parental regulation is essential to safeguard child health and development.