Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the health and development of children. During these formative years, children experience rapid growth and increased physical activity, making it crucial to provide a balanced diet that supports their overall well-being. A well-rounded diet helps in cognitive development, immune function, and maintaining energy levels.

At ages 5 to 8, children are transitioning into a more structured lifestyle with school and extracurricular activities. Their dietary needs evolve as they grow, requiring a focus on balanced nutrition to support their development. Proper intake of essential nutrients is vital during this period to ensure optimal health and growth.

A balanced diet for children in this age group should include a variety of foods from all food groups. Key nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals are essential for physical growth and cognitive development. Include lean proteins like chicken, fish, and legumes to support muscle growth, and ensure ample intake of fruits and vegetables for vitamins and fiber. Whole grains and dairy products are also important for providing necessary energy and calcium.

Essential Nutrition Tips for Parents

2. Opt for whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables over processed foods to provide essential nutrients and fiber.

3. Include sources of lean protein such as chicken, fish, beans, and tofu to aid in muscle development and growth.

4. Reduce intake of sugary snacks, sodas, and processed foods to prevent weight gain and health issues.

5. Offer nutritious snacks like fruits, yogurt, and nuts between meals to keep energy levels stable and avoid unhealthy cravings.

6. Ensure your child drinks plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support overall health.

7. Serve appropriate portion sizes based on your child’s age and activity level to avoid overeating and encourage healthy eating habits.

8. Engage your children in planning and preparing meals to teach them about nutrition and encourage healthier food choices.

9. Establish consistent meal and snack times to create a routine and prevent irregular eating habits.

10. Keep track of your child's intake of essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamins to ensure they meet their growing needs.

Ensuring a well-rounded diet for children is essential for their growth, development, and overall health. Pay close attention to your child's dietary needs, focusing on balanced nutrition and limiting processed foods. Foster healthy eating habits early to support your child's growth and prevent future health issues. Regularly review their diet and consult with a healthcare provider to ensure they are meeting all nutritional requirements.

After Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, now Bihar plans to implement social media for children. The Indian government is also reportedly mulling at a larger plan.

The move is largely aimed at curbing cyberbullying, addiction, and poor mental health. But given India's rapidly evolving digital landscape, can it work, or will it have serious repercussions? Lets, take a look.

While Karnataka banned social media for children under 16 to combat negative mental health effects, in Andhra Pradesh, the ban will be applied to children aged 13 and below within the next 90 days.

Globally, Australia and Indonesia have also effected similar bans.

The social media bans in India came as the central government, in its Economic Survey, tabled in the Parliament in January this year, stated the need for an age-based access to online platforms and also implored cutting down online teaching to avoid digital addiction.

"The intent to protect young minds from addiction, misinformation, and harmful content is welcome. However, effectiveness will depend less on restricting children and more on regulating platforms," Dr. Rajendra Pratap Gupta, chairman- Health Parliament, creator of SHE App and former advisor to the Union Health Minister, told HealthandMe.

Also read: Karnataka’s Social Media Ban To Help Children Find Life Beyond Screens

Social Media And Teen Health

A 2025 report by NITI Aayog revealed that children in India aged up to five spent 1.5 hours online on average in 2023, accessing educational videos and games.

Children between six and 10 years old spent 2.5 hours online using services such as social media, gaming, and videos.

Further, the Economic Survey 2025-26 also mentioned the high prevalence of social media addiction among those aged 15-24 and linked it with an increase in anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and cyberbullying stress.

Coupled with compulsive scrolling and gaming disorders, Indian youth are increasingly experiencing sleep disruption, aggression, social withdrawal, and depression, with adolescent populations being especially vulnerable.

According to a study published by the Pew Research Center in 2025, showed roughly half of teens (48 percent) say social media sites have a mostly negative effect on people their age.

A December 2025 study by Karolinska Institutet in Sweden showed social media is tied to rising attention problems in teens.

Several other studies globally have indicated that those teens who spend more time on social media tend to show more symptoms of depression.

These showed that excessive social media use can lead to:

• Social isolation
• Decrease physical activity and time spent outdoors
• Sleep loss
• Increase stress

“For developing young brains, excessive social media exposure has been linked to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and, most importantly, difficulty with regulating attention and emotions. Algorithms intensify comparison, validation-seeking, and exposure to harmful content, which children lack the maturity to process,” Dr. Sachin Pradeep Baliga, Associate Consultant Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare, told HealthandMe.

In 2023, former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy named social media as a major threat to the mental health of teens. He also released a social media advisory about social media and mental health.

The advisory indicates that frequent social media use could be associated with changes in parts of the brain related to emotions and learning. Additionally, it can affect impulse control, social behavior, emotional regulation, and sensitivity to social punishments and rewards.

In serious cases, social media can also contribute to self-harm or suicidal thoughts, especially among teens and children facing cyberbullying or trolling. Young people are particularly vulnerable to online pressures, negative comparisons, and feelings of rejection.

At the same time, social media in some ways can also benefit mental health. It provides many teens with a community that helps them through difficult times.

Many social media platforms also encourage

• help-seeking behaviors
• initiates mental health care
• Affirms sexual identities
• Provides social support

“The goal should be age-appropriate access, digital literacy, parental supervision, and platform accountability. Like traffic rules for a busy highway, regulations can protect young minds while still allowing them to access the healthy benefits of digital connection and learning,” the expert said.

A Blanket Ban By The Government?

The Economic Survey stated that as digital access cannot be fully restricted, the establishment of offline youth hubs, particularly in urban slums and rural areas, can be provide alternatives to digital spaces. It also urged moderated online safe spaces hosted by schools or similar institutions.

“Schools play a critical role in shaping digital habits, and hence, they should introduce a Digital Wellness Curriculum covering screen time literacy, cyber safety, and mental health awareness,” it said, while calling for a “holistic approach, including physical and mental health, is essential to ensure a resilient future”.

Recently, the Indian Express reported that the government is not in favor of a ban on social media for children.

It is instead considering a more nuanced and graded approach in specifying restrictions for children under 18 years as suggested in the Economic Survey, and is likely to be brought forth in the Monsoon session of the Parliament, later this year.

The restrictions will be age-based and categorized among:

• 8-12 years age,
• 12-16 year olds,
• 16-18 years

“Stronger platform accountability, age-appropriate design, and algorithmic responsibility are crucial. Combined with digital literacy and parental awareness, Oversight and control, such measures can create a healthier digital ecosystem; without platform control, regulations risk remaining largely symbolic,” Dr. Gupta said.

What Parents Can Do?

Carol Vidal, child and adolescent psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, urges parents to become a role model and teach children and teens to have a healthy relationship with social media.

“Delaying the purchase of smartphones until the child is ready is a good first step. But, it is also important to instill healthy habits in children’s use of screens given that technology — and social media in particular — will be present throughout their lives,” Vidal said.

The expert urges parents to apply strategies such as :

• Taking regular breaks from digital devices
• Turning off notifications
• Establishing phone-free hours and spaces
• Discussing appropriate boundaries and behaviors when interacting online.

Across social media, videos of mothers shaving their daughters’ upper-lip hair have been going viral. In many clips, parents say they are trying to protect their children from bullying about facial hair, something many women recall experiencing during their own childhood. Some of these videos show girls as young as 10 or 12 getting their first facial shave at home.

The conversation gained major traction in 2023 when influencer Vidya Gopalan posted a video of herself shaving her 12-year-old daughter’s facial hair. The clip clocked millions of views and sparked strong reactions. While many viewers praised the mother for being proactive, others felt the practice introduces children to beauty pressures far too early.

Similar videos continue to trend today, often framed as an act of care from parents who want their children to feel confident. But dermatologists say the issue is more complicated than it looks online.

Children’s Skin Is More Sensitive Than Adults’

Experts point out that children’s skin is very different from adult skin. The protective barrier is still developing, which means it is more vulnerable to irritation and injury.

When shaving is done too early or too frequently, it can cause redness, cuts, razor bumps and sometimes infections. Using adult razors, dull blades or harsh products can make the situation worse. Even small nicks on delicate facial skin can lead to inflammation or long-lasting irritation.

Dermatologists note that shaving itself is not inherently dangerous if done correctly and occasionally. However, it should not become a routine practice for very young children simply because it is trending online.

Instead, any decision about hair removal should be taken carefully, with proper hygiene and supervision.

The Myth About Hair Growing Back Thicker

One reason many parents feel comfortable allowing shaving is the belief that hair will grow back thicker anyway, so removing it early does not change much.

Experts say this idea is a long-standing myth.

When hair regrows after shaving, the blunt edge of the cut hair can make it appear darker or thicker. In reality, the hair shaft itself has not changed. Studies in dermatology have repeatedly shown that shaving does not alter hair thickness, color or growth rate.

However, frequent shaving may still irritate sensitive skin, which is why dermatologists recommend caution when it comes to young children.

Cosmetic Treatments Raise Bigger Concerns

The debate intensified further after reports surfaced about an eight-year-old undergoing laser hair removal. That revelation shocked many people online and pushed the conversation beyond simple grooming.

Dermatologists stress that laser hair removal is generally designed for teenagers or adults whose hormones have stabilized. During childhood, hair growth patterns can still change significantly as the body develops. Because of this, such procedures are rarely recommended for younger children.

The concern is not only medical but also psychological. Starting cosmetic treatments too early may reinforce the idea that natural body features need to be “fixed.”

The Real Issue May Be Body Image

Experts say the larger conversation should not revolve only around hair removal techniques. It should also address how children learn to view their bodies.

Facial hair during puberty is normal, and it varies widely depending on genetics and hormones. In countries like India, where darker hair is common, many children may notice upper-lip hair earlier than their peers.

Instead of immediately removing it, dermatologists encourage parents to talk openly with their children about body changes. Helping children build confidence and understand that these changes are natural can be just as important as addressing appearance concerns.

If a child feels genuinely uncomfortable, gentler options such as a soft facial trimmer or consulting a dermatologist may be considered. But experts say the goal should not be to rush into grooming habits simply because social media has normalized them.

Sometimes, the most important step is helping children realize that their bodies are not a problem that needs fixing.

For many couples, the journey to parenthood does not always unfold as expected. While some conceive naturally without difficulty, others may struggle with fertility challenges caused by hormonal imbalances, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, PCOS, low sperm count, age-related decline in egg or sperm quality, or even unexplained infertility.

In such situations, assisted reproductive treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) offer a path forward. IUI is often recommended in mild fertility concerns, while IVF is typically advised when conception becomes more complex. However, one reality that many couples are not prepared for is that IVF may not work in the very first attempt.

According to Dr. Mrunalini Jagne (Ahire), Fertility Consultant and IVF Specialist at Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, a failed first IVF cycle can be emotionally overwhelming. “Many couples feel disappointed or discouraged when their first IVF cycle fails. But it is important to understand that one unsuccessful cycle does not mean pregnancy is impossible,” she says.

Read: Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas Open Up About Malti’s Premature Birth And NICU Battle

Why IVF May Not Work The First Time

IVF is a complex medical process that depends on multiple biological factors. Egg quality, sperm health, embryo development and the condition of the uterus all influence whether implantation will occur successfully. Even when the procedure is performed perfectly, these variables can affect the outcome.

“Fertility treatment involves several steps and each individual’s body responds differently to medication and procedures,” explains Dr. Jagne. “Sometimes the first cycle acts as a learning phase that helps doctors understand how the patient’s body reacts to the treatment.”

Because of this, many couples go on to conceive in subsequent cycles. The experience from the first attempt often provides valuable information that helps doctors refine the treatment strategy.

What Doctors Evaluate After A Failed IVF Cycle

When the first IVF cycle does not result in pregnancy, specialists usually conduct a detailed reassessment before planning the next attempt. This evaluation may include hormone testing to check fertility levels, hysteroscopy to examine the uterus, and genetic testing of embryos to identify underlying issues.

Doctors may also analyze ovarian reserve through tests such as Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels and Antral Follicle Count (AFC). In men, sperm DNA fragmentation tests may be recommended to assess sperm health more closely.

“Once we understand the possible factors that may have affected implantation, we can modify the treatment plan,” says Dr. Jagne. “This may involve adjusting medication doses, improving embryo selection techniques, or using additional diagnostic tests.”

Advances in reproductive medicine have also improved the chances of success in later cycles. Techniques such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), blastocyst culture and advanced embryo freezing methods like vitrification allow fertility specialists to select healthier embryos and optimize implantation timing.

“These technologies have significantly improved IVF outcomes in recent years,” Dr. Jagne notes.

How Couples Can Prepare For The Next Attempt

Apart from medical adjustments, lifestyle factors also play an important role in improving fertility outcomes. Couples planning another IVF cycle are often advised to maintain regular follow-up appointments and complete all recommended investigations.

Adopting healthy habits can also support the treatment process. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and prioritizing good sleep can positively influence reproductive health. Stress management through yoga, meditation or counselling may also help couples cope with the emotional strain that often accompanies fertility treatments.

“Couples should focus on staying positive and following medical advice closely,” Dr. Jagne adds. “With proper care, many people who did not succeed in the first attempt go on to achieve a healthy pregnancy in later cycles.”

Hope Beyond The First Attempt

A failed IVF cycle can feel like a major setback, but experts emphasize that it is rarely the end of the fertility journey. With careful medical evaluation, improved treatment strategies and supportive lifestyle changes, many couples eventually succeed.

As Dr. Jagne puts it, “IVF is a process, and sometimes it takes more than one attempt. With the right guidance and perseverance, many couples are able to fulfil their dream of becoming parents.”