PM Modi Calls for Teacher–Parent Partnership to Address Children’s Screen Time
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged teachers to engage with parents on the issue of excessive screen time among children, describing it as an emerging concern requiring greater attention from families and schools. His remarks came during an interaction with National Teachers’ Award winners ahead of Teachers’ Day 2026.
The Prime Minister emphasised that teachers should not limit their role to classroom instruction and academic performance. Instead, they should remain attentive to children’s behaviour, interests and everyday challenges. He encouraged teachers to discuss with parents how much time children spend on digital devices, including whether they use mobile phones late at night.
The approach places emphasis on preventive awareness and coordinated parental involvement, rather than treating technology as inherently negative. PM Modi suggested that children can gradually reduce excessive screen use by developing greater interest in outdoor sports, physical activities and creative pursuits. Schools can support this transition by providing opportunities for students to explore their talents and interests beyond the prescribed syllabus.
The message also aligns with the broader government focus on ensuring that children benefit from digital technologies while being protected from risks such as harmful content, cyberbullying, online abuse, excessive screen time and digital dependency.
From a governance perspective, the emphasis is on strengthening the school–family partnership and promoting a balanced approach to digital education. Teachers are being positioned as important stakeholders in identifying behavioural changes, communicating with parents and encouraging healthier offline engagement.
PM Modi’s intervention therefore reflects a broader child-centric education approach in which technology is viewed as a useful resource, but its use must remain balanced with physical activity, creativity, social interaction and holistic development.
