Why Indian Children Want Smartphone Controls For Parents? Survey Reveals

A recent survey conducted by Vivo, in collaboration with Cyber Media Research (CMR), has revealed: Indian children are more conscious of the adverse effects of smartphone usage than their parents. The study, part of Vivo's sixth edition of the ‘Switch Off Campaign,’ sheds light on the growing issue of excessive digital exposure and its impact on parent-child relationships.

Key Findings: Parents Spend More Time on Smartphones

The report, ‘Impact of Smartphones on Parent-Child Relationships,’ surveyed 1,543 smartphone users from major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Pune. It highlighted the following findings:

• Indian parents spend an average of five hours daily on their smartphones, while children spend four hours.

• Around 73% of parents and 69% of children identified smartphone usage as a significant source of conflict between them.

• Both parents and children admitted to using smartphones during meaningful family moments like vacations, outings, and celebrations.

• The study also noted that around 77% of children prefer to avoid smartphones when spending time with family and friends, with 76% switching off devices to foster deeper connections.

Children’s Perspective

Interestingly, children seem more aware of the need to regulate digital habits than their parents.

• 8 out of 10 children advocated for ‘parental controls’ to manage their parents’ smartphone usage.

• When asked about designing a smartphone for their parents, 94% of children expressed a preference for excluding games, entertainment apps, and social media platforms. Instead, they suggested focusing on basic functionalities like calling, messaging, and photography.

Efforts to Promote Healthier Digital Habits

As part of its ‘Switch Off Campaign,’ Vivo is rolling out initiatives to encourage reduced screen time:

• Restaurant Activations: Promoting device-free dining experiences.

• In-App Reminders: Alerts encouraging users to prioritize family moments after a busy day.

Bridging the Emotional Divide

The statistics presented in this study speak volumes about the emotional gap fostered by excessive screen time. For young children, even indirect exposure to screens—such as watching their parents prioritise a smartphone over meaningful interactions—can have lasting emotional consequences. Such neglect can erode their sense of self-worth and create feelings of loneliness, as they struggle to compete for their parents’ attention against an inanimate object.

Moreover, such behaviours contribute to an emotional divide that becomes increasingly difficult to address or heal as time passes. The disconnect extends beyond the parent-child bond, often permeating family dynamics as a whole. For older generations, unregulated smartphone use also poses significant risks, including susceptibility to misinformation, financial fraud, and money-laundering scams, further emphasizing the need for mindful digital habits.

Healing parent-child relationships begins with recognising these challenges and taking active steps to bridge the divide. Parents must lead by example, setting boundaries on their own smartphone use to show children that relationships matter more than screens. The findings serve as a wake-up call for parents to reevaluate their smartphone habits. By addressing these issues, families can work towards building stronger, more fulfilling relationships in an increasingly digital world.