Mary Pouline, Author and Founder,
Sapience Publications

Hello, dear readers. I’m Mary Pouline, here to address a topic that is the need of the hour. In today’s digital age, children are growing up in a world saturated with screens: from smartphones and tablets to televisions and gaming consoles. While technology offers educational and entertainment benefits, the overuse of screens is beginning to chip away at an institution that has long been the cornerstone of family bonding: dinner time.

India, a country rooted in traditions and family values, has long cherished the simple act of eating together. But in the age of smartphones, tablets, and OTT platforms, the sacred space of family dinner time is under siege. With screens increasingly making their way to the dining table, families are losing more than just time—they’re losing connection.

This article explores how excessive screen time among Indian children is affecting the institution of family meals, supported by facts, figures, quotes, and expert opinions. It also offers practical solutions to restore this fading tradition.

Screen Time on the
Rise Among Indian Children

India’s digital landscape has transformed rapidly. With affordable smartphones and low-cost internet access via platforms like Jio, screen exposure has skyrocketed.
According to a 2022 Kantar IMRB and IAMAI report, Indian children aged 5–15 spend an average of 4.6 – hours a day on screens—up from 2.7 – hours in 2018. For urban teens, that number often exceeds 7 – hours, thanks to the pandemic-driven shift to online education, mobile gaming, and social media.

A 2023 – survey by Local Circles found that 61% of Indian parents were concerned about their child’s screen addiction, with 30% reporting that their kids had become less communicative at home.

“It’s not just about the quantity of screen time—it’s when and where it shows up. Dinner time, once a family ritual, is now often a solo act with a screen,” says Dr. Meghna Yadav, child psychologist at Fortis Healthcare, Delhi.

The Changing
Face of Indian Family Dinners

Traditionally, Indian families viewed dinner as a time for bonding. Whether sitting cross-legged on the floor or around a table, the evening meal was a time to reconnect—sharing dal, roti, stories, and laughter.

Today, this image is fading.

In a 2022 YouGov India poll, only 37% of Indian families said they eat dinner together daily. More strikingly, 45% of parents said that screens (phones, TV, tablets) are “always” or “often” present during dinner.

This shift is not just cultural—it’s psychological and nutritional.

Why Indian Family Meals Matter

Family dinners are more than shared curries—they are a cornerstone of Indian parenting. Regular mealtimes foster:

• Communication and bonding
• Transmission of values and traditions
• Monitoring of children’s emotional well-being
• Healthier eating habits

A 2019 – study by AIIMS Delhi found that children who ate with their families at least five times a week had better dietary diversity, lower BMI scores, and reported higher emotional security.
“Dinner time is one of the few chances a working parent in India gets to truly connect with their child,” says Dr. V. Kumaran, nutritionist and family health expert in Chennai. “Losing that to a screen is a tragic trade-off.”

How Screens Are Disrupting
Indian Dinner Time

1. The Television Culture

In many Indian homes, the TV is never off—especially during dinner. Popular serials, cricket matches, or news debates dominate the background.
According to BARC India, 83% of Indian households watch TV during mealtimes. This has led to “TV dinners” becoming normalized, especially in urban areas.

2. Mobile Phones at the Table

Smartphones are even more intrusive. Kids are glued to YouTube, Instagram Reels, and mobile games like BGMI or Candy Crush—often even during family meals.
A 2021 report by Nielsen India revealed that 40% of Indian children aged 10–14 use smartphones during dinner at least once a week. Parents too are often distracted by WhatsApp messages or work calls.

3. Decline in Mealtime

Conversations

Screen use correlates directly with a drop in family interaction. A Bangalore-based observational study of 100 urban families found that when screens were present at the dinner table, verbal exchanges dropped by 55%.
“We used to talk about our day, now everyone eats while scrolling. It’s silent,” says Sangeeta Sharma, a Mumbai-based mother of two teenagers.

Cultural and
Developmental Consequences

India’s diverse cuisine isn’t the only thing children are missing at dinner—they’re missing culture, language, and values.

The dinner table is where kids learn family history, local dialects, social etiquette, and even moral lessons passed down by grandparents. Replacing these with screen content leads to:
• Weaker family bonds
• Delayed language development
• Increased behavioural issues
A 2022 study published in the Indian Journal of Pediatrics found that children who had regular screen-free family dinners scored significantly higher on emotional regulation and empathy tests.

… Contd in Aalumai Sirpi Magazine