Rachel V Thomas

Health and Me

Delhi Air Pollution: Are Online Classes And Indoor Time Adding To Children's Anxiety?

Four-year-old Deborah started school this year full of excitement. But she is struggling to understand why she now has to attend classes on a screen. The nursery student misses the school bus, chatting with friends and running around the classroom. Despite the appeal of screens, she finds it difficult to sit still for online lessons.

Coughing badly, she asks what pollution is and pleads with her family to let her play in the park.

Deborah is not alone. Across Delhi-NCR, children are facing similar disruptions as schools shift classes online amid deteriorating air quality, keeping them indoors for longer.

Air pollution in India is no longer just a winter problem. Although levels peak during the colder months, poor air quality has increasingly become a year-round concern, with Delhi-NCR experiencing severe pollution episodes.

Beyond its well-documented respiratory and developmental effects, pollution and the disruption it brings to children's daily lives may also affect their emotional well-being. <strong><em>HealthandMe </em></strong>spoke to health experts, who warned that reduced <span>outdoor play</span>, disrupted social interactions and increased <span>screen time</span> could add to children's psychological stress.

<h2>How Air Pollution Can Affect Children's Mental Health</h2>

Air pollution should not be viewed as an isolated exposure when examining its impact on children's mental health, said Dr. Pradeep B.S., a Professor of Epidemiology and Deputy Medical Superintendent at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru.

"Air pollution is a macro-level effect. If we reduce it to individual-level effects, we are scientifically wrong," he told <strong><em>HealthandMe </em></strong>on the sidelines of the 11th Together Against Stigma (TAS) Conference, held in the national capital.

He said air pollution is associated with several broader changes, including increased traffic, population growth, climate disturbances and unpredictable weather patterns. Together, these can have a silent effect on people's psychological well-being, including that of children and adolescents.

The effects may not always be direct. Respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, for instance, can prevent children from going outdoors and participating in activities. Losing the opportunity to play can itself become a source of distress.

He also pointed to urbanisation and road expansion, which not only contribute to pollution but also reduce green spaces, playgrounds and community recreational areas. The combination can limit children's opportunities to play, interact and socialise.

<h2>Environmental Stress Can Also Affect Children's Emotional Well-Being</h2>

Dr. Pallab K. Maulik, the Director of Research at The George Institute for Global Health India said air pollution is one of the contributors to mental health concerns, with both Indian and international research examining the association.

He told <strong><em>HealthandMe </em></strong>that pollution and environmental disasters can create anxiety and stress among children, particularly those whose everyday lives are disrupted by these conditions.

Citing an example from one of his study sites, he recalled speaking to a child living in a slum area whose home gets flooded whenever municipal tankers wash the streets. The child has to spend two days drying her books after the water enters the house.

Dr Pallaub also referred to children in the Sundarbans who regularly experience flooding and salinity-related problems.

He said some adolescents are now using platforms such as adolescent parliaments to bring their concerns to local administrators. While children are becoming more aware of environmental challenges, he said, much more needs to be done to understand how environmental changes affect their mental health.

<h2>Staying Indoors, Screen Addiction And Anxiety</h2>

Dr Syed Hubbe Ali - Health Specialist (RMNCHA) at UNICEF highlighted another possible consequence of pollution-related restrictions on outdoor activities: increased screen exposure among children and adolescents.

When children cannot go outside, they tend to spend more time indoors, often turning to mobile phones, social media and online content. This can create a cycle of screen dependence, he explained.

He described how the pursuit of dopamine, associated with the brain's reward system, can encourage children to keep scrolling through social media content.

The cycle can become more complicated when children begin posting content and seeking validation through likes and engagement.

"Once you start developing your roles, the next stage comes when you see how many likes I got. I got the likes, I don't get the likes. Then the anxiety, you know, it starts," Dr Ali told <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>.

He explained that not receiving the expected engagement can cause distress and, in some cases, contribute to depressive feelings and risky behaviour.

Dr Ali also raised concerns about children spending more time on screens for online learning. Referring to an NCERT survey conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic among 3.7 lakh children, he said only 51% were able to understand online content.

He suggested that learning methods need to move beyond conventional online teaching and incorporate more games and interactive approaches to improve children's engagement.

<h2>Why Outdoor Play And Social Spaces Matter</h2>

Dr Pradeep emphasised that the impact of pollution cannot be separated from the wider changes taking place in children's surroundings.

Reduced access to green spaces and recreational areas can affect opportunities for physical activity, social interaction and play. When children are unable to participate in these activities, the effects can extend beyond physical health.

Dr Ali also highlighted the importance of outdoor activities and sunlight exposure in children's everyday lives. He said keeping children indoors for prolonged periods can increase their dependence on digital platforms as a source of entertainment and stimulation.

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Four-year-old Deborah started school this year full of excitement. But she is struggling to understand why she now has to attend classes on a screen. The nursery student misses the school bus, chatting with friends and running around the classroom. Despite the appeal of screens, she finds it difficult to sit still for online lessons.Coughing badly, she asks what pollution is and pleads with her family to let her play in the park.Deborah is not alone. Across Delhi-NCR, children are facing similar disruptions as schools shift classes online amid deteriorating air quality, keeping them indoors for longer.Air pollution in India is no longer just a winter problem. Although levels peak during the colder months, poor air quality has increasingly become a year-round concern, with Delhi-NCR experiencing severe pollution episodes.Beyond its well-documented respiratory and developmental effects, pollution and the disruption it brings to children's daily lives may also affect their emotional well-being. HealthandMe spoke to health experts, who warned that reduced outdoor play, disrupted social interactions and increased screen time could add to children's psychological stress.How Air Pollution Can Affect Children's Mental HealthAir pollution should not be viewed as an isolated exposure when examining its impact on children's mental health, said Dr. Pradeep B.S., a Professor of Epidemiology and Deputy Medical Superintendent at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru."Air pollution is a macro-level effect. If we reduce it to individual-level effects, we are scientifically wrong," he told HealthandMe on the sidelines of the 11th Together Against Stigma (TAS) Conference, held in the national capital.He said air pollution is associated with several broader changes, including increased traffic, population growth, climate disturbances and unpredictable weather patterns. Together, these can have a silent effect on people's psychological well-being, including that of children and adolescents.The effects may not always be direct. Respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, for instance, can prevent children from going outdoors and participating in activities. Losing the opportunity to play can itself become a source of distress.He also pointed to urbanisation and road expansion, which not only contribute to pollution but also reduce green spaces, playgrounds and community recreational areas. The combination can limit children's opportunities to play, interact and socialise.Environmental Stress Can Also Affect Children's Emotional Well-BeingDr. Pallab K. Maulik, the Director of Research at The George Institute for Global Health India said air pollution is one of the contributors to mental health concerns, with both Indian and international research examining the association.He told HealthandMe that pollution and environmental disasters can create anxiety and stress among children, particularly those whose everyday lives are disrupted by these conditions.Citing an example from one of his study sites, he recalled speaking to a child living in a slum area whose home gets flooded whenever municipal tankers wash the streets. The child has to spend two days drying her books after the water enters the house.Dr Pallaub also referred to children in the Sundarbans who regularly experience flooding and salinity-related problems.He said some adolescents are now using platforms such as adolescent parliaments to bring their concerns to local administrators. While children are becoming more aware of environmental challenges, he said, much more needs to be done to understand how environmental changes affect their mental health.Staying Indoors, Screen Addiction And AnxietyDr Syed Hubbe Ali - Health Specialist (RMNCHA) at UNICEF highlighted another possible consequence of pollution-related restrictions on outdoor activities: increased screen exposure among children and adolescents.When children cannot go outside, they tend to spend more time indoors, often turning to mobile phones, social media and online content. This can create a cycle of screen dependence, he explained.He described how the pursuit of dopamine, associated with the brain's reward system, can encourage children to keep scrolling through social media content.The cycle can become more complicated when children begin posting content and seeking validation through likes and engagement."Once you start developing your roles, the next stage comes when you see how many likes I got. I got the likes, I don't get the likes. Then the anxiety, you know, it starts," Dr Ali told HealthandMe.He explained that not receiving the expected engagement can cause distress and, in some cases, contribute to depressive feelings and risky behaviour.Dr Ali also raised concerns about children spending more time on screens for online learning. Referring to an NCERT survey conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic among 3.7 lakh children, he said only 51% were able to understand online content.He suggested that learning methods need to move beyond conventional online teaching and incorporate more games and interactive approaches to improve children's engagement.Why Outdoor Play And Social Spaces MatterDr Pradeep emphasised that the impact of pollution cannot be separated from the wider changes taking place in children's surroundings.Reduced access to green spaces and recreational areas can affect opportunities for physical activity, social interaction and play. When children are unable to participate in these activities, the effects can extend beyond physical health.Dr Ali also highlighted the importance of outdoor activities and sunlight exposure in children's everyday lives. He said keeping children indoors for prolonged periods can increase their dependence on digital platforms as a source of entertainment and stimulation.

delhi air pollution: are online classes and indoor time adding to children's anxiety?

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