Shillong, Aug 9: National Child Psychiatry Continuing Medical Education (NCPCME) was conducted at State Convention Centre, here with a focus on raising kids in the digital age
Parents, educators, and the public are concerned about children’s growing exposure to screens and artificial intelligence .
The national conference on August 7 and 8 focused on this.
The National Child Psychiatry CME 2026, was organised by the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry (IAPP) in association with the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) Meghalaya State Branch and it brought together leading child and adolescent psychiatrists from across India under the theme “Child, Adolescent & Parent: Growing Up in the Digital Age.”
The programme addressed pressing questions many families face: How much screen time is too much for young children? How are AI tools and algorithms shaping young minds? How can parents adapt their approach in an era of ChatGPT and constant digital connectivity? Should mobile phones be restricted for children under 12?
Dr. Mrugesh Vaishnav President IAPP and Dr. Arun Marwale Gen. Secretary IPS were present at the inauguration. Chief Guest for the conference was heath commissioner & secretary Dr Joram Beda addressed the audience on the relevance of the conference topic, especially in the Meghalaya.
The topics delivered were-
- Dr. Nabanita Sengupta (Sir Gangaram Hospital, New Delhi) spoke on “Digital Childhood: Navigating Screens in the Early Years.”
- Dr. Raghavendra (Director, Mana Mandira Healthcare, Bengaluru) addressed “Child, Parent and AI Algorithm: Decode & Management.”
- Dr. Sumit Rana (Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi) discussed “Chat GPT Teens: Relearning Parenting for the AI Generation.”
- Dr. Vani Kulhalli (AMAHA, Mumbai) presented the psychiatric perspective on “Ban Mobiles for Children under 12 years.”
Why It matters for families
In an age when smartphones, social media, and AI tools are part of everyday life even for very young children, mental-health professionals emphasise the need for balanced guidance. Excessive screen time, algorithm-driven content, and unsupervised use of generative AI can affect attention, sleep, emotional regulation, and parent-child relationships.
The conference aimed to equip doctors with updated knowledge while also highlighting practical advice that can help parents and caregivers make informed decisions at home.
Organisers noted that events like this CME play an important role in bringing specialised expertise to the Northeast and raising public awareness about child and adolescent mental health in the digital era.
For parents and the general public, the message from the experts is clear: technology is here to stay, but thoughtful boundaries, open communication, and age-appropriate limits remain essential for healthy development.
The organising chairperson for the CME is Dr. Sonali Shinde Tesia & organising secretary is Dr. Raaj Konwar under the leadership of IPS Meghalaya State Branch President Dr. Pakha Tesia
In the evening, a cultural programme was conducted by Padmashri Kong Silbi Passah and her group which gave a flavour of Meghalaya’s music and dance culture to delegates across the country.
