Khaberni - Specialists in psychological matters have warned of the growing phenomenon of digital addiction among children and youth, resulting from excessive use of smart devices, social media, and electronic games. They confirmed that the phenomenon is no longer just a passing entertainment behavior, but has transformed into a problem that affects psychological and behavioral development, reflecting on family relationships and academic performance.
In this context, Ahmed Ibrahim Altartour, Director of Legal Affairs at the Department of Social Services in Sharjah, pointed out that "digital addiction, or what is known as excessive use of digital devices and social media, means that a child or teenager spends long periods interacting with screens, electronic games, videos, or digital applications, which may hinder their daily activities and negatively affect their psychological and social growth."
Risks
Altartour mentioned that "digital addiction in children and youth is linked to psychological and social difficulties and affects behavior, as some children may exhibit aggression or social withdrawal, as well as impacting the family by reducing family bonding and increasing isolation, in addition to its effect on academic performance due to distractions during study time or interaction with school."
He explained that "prevention begins with raising awareness in a simple way that highlights the risks of excessive screen use and the benefits of balanced use, by setting clear time limits to gradually reduce screen time or by designating device-free times, along with providing healthy alternatives such as physical activity, outdoor play, and artistic and social activities, with emotional support and open dialogues that help the child understand their digital use in a conscious and responsible way."
He noted that "when digital use impacts sleep, school performance, or social interaction, it is preferable to seek help from a psychologist or educational specialist for necessary support and guidance."
Chronic Disease
Sami Mahmoud Taha, a researcher and writer specializing in children's literature, asserted that "digital addiction has become a phenomenon that transcends entertainment to deeply affect individual behavior and psychological balance, especially among children and youth, and it is no longer just a waste of time in leisure spaces, but has turned into a condition resembling a chronic disease, weakening willpower, narrowing senses, and limiting initiative and creativity, leading generations into a world of isolation and negative habituation."
He said, "With the increasing danger, there is a need for a realistic stance to restore balance and reduce addiction through stimulating sports interests, organizing cultural and social trips that encourage positive interaction, developing artistic and musical tastes, and enhancing family presence through joint activities that strengthen emotional bonds, as well as by setting well-thought-out time frames for digital device use, directing them towards learning and self-improvement instead of indulging in excessive digital consumption."
Digital Awareness
Dr. Hala Al-Ablam, a psychological and family consultant, pointed out that "digital addiction is not just excessive use, but a gradual erosion in an individual's self-awareness and boundaries, as it disrupts emotional maturity and distorts the sense of time and identity, replacing real-life experience with a shallow virtual image."
She said, "The effects of digital addiction in children and youth manifest in poor concentration, sleep disturbances, social isolation, and a decline in psychological resilience. Prevention begins by building a culture of digital awareness based on self-regulation rather than prohibition, restoring balance between the real and virtual worlds through activities that return the body, movement, and genuine emotion to the child, alongside family dialogues that connect technology with responsibility and broader human understanding."
