Rise in mobile gadgets use for school learning and health issues of children- Long-term sequelae of covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has brought a paradigm shift in education with a trend of online learning and even schooling. During complete lockdown period schools were shifted to smartphones and computers. This study aimed to explore the pattern of smartphone use before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and the health issues of school-going children in post-COVID-19 period. There was a significant rise in the timings of mobile phone use from 2 hours to 7 hours per day. A total of 90% of student’s mothers reported behavioral change where lack of socializing was the most commonly reported change. Irritation of eyes and dryness were the most commonly reported ocular disorders.  The rise of mobile phones has brought several behavioral and ocular disorders due to long hours of use. There is a need to confirm health-related issues of smartphone use in large prospective studies and develop preventive strategies.