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Karachi: Child health experts are warning parents against giving young children mobile phones, saying it can seriously affect their physical, mental, and psychological development.<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking on ARY News program \u2018 Bakhabar Savera, pediatrician Dr. Waseem Ahmed Jamalvi urged parents, particularly mothers, to avoid giving phones to children under five.<\/p>\n \u201cUsing mobile phones at an early age is extremely harmful for a child\u2019s growth,\u201d he said. \u201cIt can lead to weak eyesight, sleep disturbances, irritability, and delays in learning and development.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Jamalvi highlighted that children primarily learn from their parents and immediate environment. \u201cUnfortunately, many mothers hand over phones to children just to keep them occupied,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Responding to a question, he cited international guidance, noting that the Australian government has restricted social media use for children under 16, while the World Health Organization advises against giving phones to children under two.<\/p>\n He explained that the first two years of life are crucial for brain development, with rapid growth of neurons continuing until around age five.<\/p>\n Dr. Jamalvi recommended that parents minimise their own mobile use, particularly when children are too young to understand its effects.<\/p>\n He also advised avoiding phone use during meals and before bedtime, as the blue light emitted from screens can harm both the eyes and the brain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n