Is your child spending too much time on screens? Does endless scrolling, binge-watching and short-form content really affect children’s brains, or is the viral term ‘brain rot’ more hype than science?

In this episode, host Kritika Sharma, an Assistant Editor with The Times of India, explores one of the biggest parenting concerns of the digital age with developmental therapist and play practitioner Lavina Nanda, who heads the developmental centre at Children First, a mental health institute in Delhi.

Joining the conversation are two parents with different experiences — lawyer and reading advocate Richa Pandey, and architect Susmita — who share practical strategies that have helped their children develop a healthier relationship with screens.

The discussion examines why screens are so addictive for children and adults alike, what ‘brain rot’ actually means from a psychological perspective, and whether excessive screen use affects attention span, emotional regulation, sleep and learning. The guests also explain why it is so essential for kids to get bored, because this way they spend some time just figuring out what to do next instead of just picking up the screen. They talk about why play is essential for healthy brain development, and how parents can cultivate a home environment that naturally encourages reading, creativity and curiosity instead of constant digital stimulation.

The panel also addresses common parenting dilemmas: Should screens be banned altogether? Can educational content be beneficial? Why can children spend hours watching videos but struggle to focus in a classroom? And most important, how can families build healthier digital habits without turning every conversation into a battle over screen time?

Packed with evidence-based insights, relatable parenting experiences and practical takeaways, this episode offers a balanced perspective on raising children in a technology-driven world. Whether you’re a parent, educator or caregiver, you’ll leave with simple, actionable ideas to help children build healthier relationships with technology while nurturing their emotional, cognitive and social development.

Do check out the nutrition power tip by nutritionist Sangeetha Aiyer (https://www.rewriteyourstory.in/) in the end.

Chapters:

00:19 Introduction: What is brain rot?

01:04 Why do kids get addicted to screens?

05:15 Can the Brain Recover from Excessive Screen Time?

05:51 Parents Join the Conversation

07:21 Are Parents Responsible for Screen Addiction?

09:27 Why Children Need to Be Bored

12:05 Can Reading Replace Scrolling?

13:07 Creating a Culture of Reading at Home

17:08 Play Is a Child's Occupation

19:16 Parenting a Six-Year-Old in the Digital Age

24:21 Why Can Kids Focus on Screens but Not School?

29:24 Screens Are Here to Stay — Now What?

32:45 One-Line Definition of Brain Rot

38:10 Final Takeaways