56.Harsh Consequences of Excessive Screentime on Brain Development ft. Dr. Madhumitha Ezhil

What exactly happens inside a child’s brain when they spend hours glued to screens?

In this episode of The Modern Indian Parent, host Rinie Gupta is joined by Dr. Madhumitha Ezhil, an expert in early childhood brain development. With rising concerns around kids being hooked on Cocomelon, YouTube Shorts, and Reels — this conversation breaks down the neuroscience behind screen addiction and its alarming long-term effects.If you’ve ever Googled:

“Why is my toddler obsessed with screens?”“Are educational videos good for babies?”“Signs of screen time addiction in kids”“Virtual autism symptoms”“Parenting without screens”

— then this is the episode for you.

Dr. Madhumitha offers grounded insights, science-backed facts, and practical tools to help modern parents make more informed screen time choices.

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 Episode Chapters

Skip to the part that interests you:

0:00 Introduction

03:59 Dr. Madhumita’s Journey into Screen Time Reduction

08:23 Recommended Screen Time for Babies and Toddler

11:01 What Excessive Screen Time Does to a Child’s Brain

13:47 Dopamine, Addiction, and the Science Behind Screen Cravings

15:38 Are Educational Shows Like Miss Rachel Actually Beneficial?

19:56 Understanding Virtual Autism and Its Impact

25:19 Early Warning Signs of Screen Overuse in Kids

29:47 How to Talk to Grandparents About Reducing Screen Time

35:46 When Parents Struggle to Say No to Screens

43:58 Managing Your Own Screen Habits as an Adult

51:21 Is It Safe to Share Your Child’s Images on Social Media?

01:01:44 Final thoughts and How to Reach Dr. Madhumita 

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 Follow here: https://www.instagram.com/modernindianparent/

‍Connect With The HostsRinie Gupta (Host, Pediatric Sleep Consultant): https://www.instagram.com/riniegupta/

Sanchita Daswani (Co-Host, Pediatric Nutritionist): https://www.instagram.com/sanchitadaswani/

Connect with the guest:

https://www.instagram.com/thescreenfreeparent/

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