0–18, especially under 6
Mobile Mukt Childhood
Real play over screen time.
A phone is like sugar: a little at the right age is fine, but it can never replace a real meal.
Children grow through talk, touch, movement and play. This programme helps families, schools and communities keep early childhood screen-free and teach older children balanced digital habits.
Why it matters
- Young children learn language best from face-to-face conversation, not from screens.
- The WHO advises no sedentary screen time for children under two, and no more than an hour a day for ages 2–4.
- Heavy screen use is linked with poorer sleep, less physical activity and weaker attention.
Key practices
- No screens under two; under one hour a day of good content for ages 2–5, watched together.
- Keep meals, bedrooms and the hour before bed phone-free for everyone.
- Swap screen time for outdoor play, books, music and small household tasks.
- Agree a family media plan with older children instead of banning everything.
- Parents go first: put your phone away when your child is talking to you.
How each role can help
- Parents & carersModel it: phone down at meals and whenever your child talks to you.
- Village leadersDeclare daily mobile-free hours and open playgrounds and libraries for children.
- School leadersKeep classrooms phone-free and teach safe, balanced digital habits.
- City locality leadersRun phone-free play streets and weekend hobby clubs.
- Donors & CSR partnersFund playgrounds, toy libraries and community reading spaces as real alternatives to screens.
- Government leadersIssue clear screen-time guidance for Anganwadis and schools, and keep public play spaces open.
Bring Mobile Mukt Childhood to your community
Tell us who you are and where you work. We'll help you plan the first steps.