Insights from Dr. Deepali Batra

Parenting today comes with a whole new set of challenges, from school pressures to screen time struggles to social anxiety. For parents, it’s no longer restricted to rules and regulations, but rather about understanding the mind behind the behaviour.

To help us understand the journey of parenting and mental wellness, we have with us someone who truly understands the heart and Science of it all – Dr. Deepali Batra. She is a leading Clinical Psychologist with expertise in child psychology and counselling.

Let’s hear from Dr. Deepali as she shares her expert insights on good parenting, child development, and emotional well-being in today’s fast-paced world.

What big challenges have you seen in child psychology today, especially in the digital age?

One of the biggest changes that we are seeing in children today is increased screen time. It’s affecting many areas of their lives, from parent-child bonding to peer relationships and even early exposure to dating and online content. Children are becoming more aware of terminologies and ideas at a much younger age; these are the things we didn’t even hear about when we were their age.

Digital literacy is increasing, but at the same time, overexposure is a concern. Too much screen time can affect a child’s concentration, memory, and even basic body functions like sleep and appetite. It also leads to chances of comparison, feelings of inadequacy, and taking things personally, all of which directly impact their emotional health and their relationships with their parents and peers.

Due to exposure to social media, children are becoming more curious; they start asking more questions, some of which may be important too. But the question is – Are parents ready and prepared to answer those questions honestly and appropriately? So, these are some of the challenges we are facing with children in today’s digital world.

How can parents manage the screen time of their children? How can they protect them from social media risks, especially in terms of mental well-being?

It all starts with early habits and clear boundaries. For example, if you gave your child a mobile phone at the age of 15, and then suddenly expect them to reduce screen time at 16, it is practically impossible because by then the behaviour is already conditioned. In such cases, the child may resist, which would further lead to conflicts like shouting, arguing, or even aggressive behaviour. Therefore, limit setting is important from day one. When you first give them access to a phone or any digital device, set the limits. Also, it’s important to model the behaviour you expect. If you are always on your phone, but tell your child not to be, the message won’t work. Children learn by watching, not just listening.

Parents should also create tech-free zones at home, like the dining table, bedroom, or during family time. These small changes can make a big difference. They can also encourage physical activities to encourage them to actively participate. This not only reduces screen time but also strengthens the parent-child relationship.

What are the major mental health concerns in today’s children? How is social pressure affecting their mental health?

When we look at children’s emotional and psychological health today, we’re seeing a rise in issues like anxiety, clinical depression, body image concerns, social anxiety, and a strong feeling of inadequacy. Many children fear being seen as socially awkward or “not fitting in.”

Here, societal pressures also has a role to play. One big area is academic pressure. Surprisingly, even toppers often deal with anxiety due to constant expectations from teachers, parents, and even themselves. This leads to panic attacks, anxiety, or psychogenic vomiting.

Apart from academics, children also face parental pressure, peer pressure, and cultural pressure, where they feel they must maintain a certain lifestyle, behave a certain way, or look a certain way. All these combined pressures lead to serious mental health issues in children.

To solve this, first and foremost, parents need to understand that these are real mental health issues. They need to understand the scope of mental health, so that when a child opens up, they can listen without any judgment. Simply dismissing or ignoring will only worsen the situation.

In many cases, children may even engage in self-harm, but parents don’t always know what to do. They sometimes try to handle it at home with casual advice or basic counselling, but it doesn’t work that way. Mental health issues require proper understanding from authentic and professional sources, and the right support from trained experts.

With awareness, openness and the right guidance, parents can support their children in their mental health journey.

How can schools build an inclusive environment for mental well-being for children?

I believe that if we truly want to build a truly inclusive environment, schools should start mental health awareness from the age of 4-5. It’s important to normalise conversations about mental health.

Every school should have a dedicated counselling cell. Right now, the number of children struggling with mental health issues is growing, but often, there’s just one counsellor for the entire school. That’s not enough. Schools need a team of mental health professionals who can understand and support different needs.

Schools are now inviting external experts to conduct workshops, and that’s a great step. These workshops are held at three levels, with parents, teachers, and students. School is a place where children spend most of their time; therefore, it should create a safe space where children feel heard, understood, and supported.

How can we help children develop healthy digital habits and protect them from cyberbullying?

The prime step is to educate the children. Sit with them and explain what cyberbullying is. Teach them what is okay to watch and what isn’t. Setting clear limits from the beginning makes a big difference. As parents, it’s also important to teach children how to say “no”. There will be times when their friends may pressure them to follow the crowd. Children should feel confident in choosing what’s right, even if it means saying “no”.

There is no such thing as perfect parenting, but you can always aim for ‘good enough’ parenting, where your child feels safe, supported, and understood.

And most importantly, if you notice signs like anxiety disorders, clinical depression, body image issues, social anxiety, self-harm, or sleep problems, don’t ignore them. Seek help from a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.

Any message you’d like to share with parents?

Parents need to spend quality time with their children. When children feel emotionally and physically safe, and when they feel respected and trusted, they naturally begin to trust and open up in return. Many problems can be prevented if parents encourage open communication with their children. It all begins with connection, respect, and understanding.