Excessive screen time among children raises health concerns

Sleep problems and poor concentration on the rise; experts urge parents to stay alert

Abu Dhabi: Excessive use of mobile phones, tablets and other digital devices among children is increasingly being linked to sleep problems, poor concentration and behavioural changes, health and education experts in the UAE have warned. Doctors said school restrictions on phone use alone are not enough to protect children, and parents need to pay closer attention to their children’s digital habits. Paediatric Specialist Dr Sudha Rao of Al Jaddaf Aster Clinic said late-night screen use can disturb children’s natural sleep patterns and lead to tiredness, vision problems such as myopia, and “digital tantrums” when children are asked to stop using screens.

More screen time can also affect learning: Studies conducted with the approval of the Dubai Health Authority indicate that children who spend less than two hours a day on screens for entertainment perform 20 to 25 per cent better in tests measuring attention and memory compared with those who spend more than four hours. Among children aged 6 to 12 who spend more than four hours a day on screens, 66.7 per cent reportedly have difficulty falling asleep. The figure drops to 9.5 per cent among children who spend less than one hour on screens daily. The report also found that 33.7 per cent of students with vision problems have poor sleep patterns. While technology is important for both education and entertainment, parents should ensure that screen use does not replace sleep, physical activity, outdoor play and other activities essential for healthy development.

Set clear limits at home: Experts recommend keeping mobile phones and other digital devices out of children’s bedrooms. Parents can make it a habit to charge devices in a common area one or two hours before bedtime and completely avoid screens during meals. To reduce arguments when screen time ends, parents can inform children about the time limit in advance and use timers. Children should also be encouraged to spend time outdoors and engage in other activities after their screen time is over.