Increasing Screen time in India and Softwares for tracking the screen time

 

Screen time is the amount of time an individual spends using electronic devices with screens such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions. In India, screen time has become a topic of concern in recent years, especially among children and adolescents.

 

Internet users in India:-

·         India has the second-largest population in the world, with over 1.3 billion people, and is also one of the fastest-growing smartphone markets in the world. According to a report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), there were 504 million internet users in India in 2020, up from 451 million in 2019. Of these, 77 percent accessed the internet via their mobile devices.

Increase in Screen time in India after Pandemic:-

·         The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to an increase in screen time in India, as people have been forced to work, study, and socialize from home. According to a survey by LocalCircles, a community social media platform, screen time increased by 20-30 percent during the pandemic.

Age and averages screen time:-

·         Children and adolescents in India are also spending more time on screens, which has raised concerns among parents, educators, and health professionals. According to a survey by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), children in India spend an average of 3-4 hours a day on screens, while adolescents spend an average of 4-5 hours a day.

Advisory of WHO related to screen time:-

·         The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children between the ages of 2 and 5 should have no more than one hour of screen time per day, while children aged 6 to 17 should have no more than two hours of screen time per day. However, in India, these recommendations are often not followed.

Effects of screen time on Individuals:-

·         The use of screens has both positive and negative effects on individuals. On the positive side, screens provide access to information, entertainment, and social connections. During the pandemic, screens also allowed people to work and study from home, which helped reduce the spread of the virus. On the negative side, excessive screen time can lead to several health issues such as obesity, poor sleep quality, eye strain, and mental health problems.

 

Screen time trackers for Android and Iphones:-

 

Both Android and iOS devices now offer built-in features to help users track their screen time, as well as a range of third-party apps that offer more detailed insights and control over usage.

 

·         On Android devices, users can access the Digital Wellbeing feature, which was introduced with Android 9 (Pie). Digital Wellbeing provides users with a dashboard that displays how much time they spend on their device and which apps they use most frequently. The feature also allows users to set app timers, which limit the amount of time they can spend on certain apps, and to enable a Wind Down mode, which reduces blue light emissions and prepares users for a good night's sleep.

·         In addition to Digital Wellbeing, Android users can also download third-party apps such as QualityTime and App Usage Tracker. QualityTime provides detailed insights into how much time users spend on their device, including which apps they use most frequently and how often they unlock their phone. The app also allows users to set usage goals and receive notifications when they exceed them. App Usage Tracker, on the other hand, offers a more granular view of app usage, allowing users to track how much time they spend on individual apps and even specific features within those apps.

·         On iOS devices, users can access the Screen Time feature, which was introduced with iOS 12. Screen Time provides users with a daily summary of their device usage, including how much time they spend on each app and which apps send the most notifications. The feature also allows users to set app limits, which restrict the amount of time they can spend on certain apps, and to enable a Downtime mode, which limits device usage during certain hours of the day.

·         In addition to Screen Time, iOS users can also download third-party apps such as Moment and Freedom. Moment provides users with a detailed view of their device usage, including which apps they use most frequently and how often they pick up their device. The app also allows users to set usage goals and receive reminders when they exceed them. Freedom, on the other hand, allows users to block distracting apps and websites, enabling them to focus on important tasks without interruption.