UPSC Mains 2023 GS1 Q10: model answer
Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children.
What the question wants
Effects of phones replacing parental touch and interaction on how children are socialised.
How to structure it
Intro: family as the primary agent of socialisation; nuclear families and working parents. Body: (1) Emotional effects: weaker attachment and security; (2) Language and social skills delayed; (3) Attention and behaviour problems, screen addiction; (4) Values learned from content, not family; (5) Health: sleep, obesity, eyesight; (6) Some benefits: learning apps. Conclusion: WHO screen-time guidance, mindful parenting.
- 1(1) Emotional effects: weaker attachment and security
- 2(2) Language and social skills delayed
- 3(3) Attention and behaviour problems, screen addiction
- 4(4) Values learned from content, not family
- 5(5) Health: sleep, obesity, eyesight
- 6(6) Some benefits: learning apps
Model answer
The family is a child's first school. With nuclear families and busy parents, the phone often becomes a babysitter.
Impact on socialisation
- Weaker bonding: cuddling builds trust and emotional security; less touch can leave children anxious.
- Delayed speech: children learn language through face-to-face talk, not passive screens.
- Poor social skills: less play with others weakens sharing, empathy and patience.
- Attention and behaviour: fast content shortens attention span; tantrums when phones are taken away.
- Values from screens: norms come from videos and ads instead of family and community.
- Health: poor sleep, weak eyesight and less outdoor activity.
- Some gains: educational content and video calls with distant relatives.
The WHO advises no screen time for children under two. Parents need to put time, touch and talk back at the centre, using screens only as a limited aid.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
primary socialisation attachment speech delay WHO screen-time guidance
Where most answers lose marks
- Only listing harms with no balance.
- No suggestions.
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1 May 2025Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP-CSM-23-GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-I-180923.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.