A 9-year-old boy from Haryana cut his forearm with a kitchen knife after his parents tried to prevent him from using his smartphone
A 9-year-old boy from Haryana cut his forearm with a kitchen knife after his parents tried to prevent him from using his smartphone. The Class IV student was admitted to a hospital in Delhi, after which doctors referred him to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital’s consultant psychiatrist, Dr Rajiv Mehta, after realising that actual cause behind his action.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to The Indian Express, during the counselling session, the boy revealed he preferred using his phone instead of being outdoors. Doctors termed his condition as mobile dependence and also said he's the youngest case so far.
The boy's parents, who were working professionals revealed they gave him a phone at the age of four, because they felt it would be a good distraction. They also admitted to have not persuaded him to play outside, thinking it would lead to him landing with bad company. The boy would constantly handle his phone, even during meals and slowly developed an attachment to the device.
His parents discovered something was amiss, when they found him exhibiting withdrawal symptoms, headaches, whenever the phone was out of his reach. He also experienced headaches, which were a result of constant smartphone use, and was advised to be kept away from any digital screens like phones, laptops or television screens and so on.
Upon being denied phone usage, he became aggravated and started throwing temper tantrums and banging his head on the wall. He went to the extreme step of cutting his forearm, after his parents denied him phone usage.
Doctors have compared mobile phone dependence to substance abuse, which would make children, who start using gadgets at a young age addicted to it.
Dr Mehta stated the key to the boy's recovery is by ensuring a gadget-free time at home. He also encouraged the parents to take their son on walks and have a meal together. He has also been advised to pick up hobbies and interact with other children. Doctors say the boy has taken a liking to table tennis and also attends music classes.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
