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If there is a concept that has united children, teens, emerging adults, and adults of all ages, it is the growing attachment to smartphones.
It is common to see families around the world all focused on their gadgets, whether mobile phones, iPads, tablets, laptops, or smart watches. It is also common to hear a child crying, and the parent responds by saying, ‘hand him or her the tablet.’
This shift in parenting methods is a direct result of the growing attachment to smartphones and digital devices, which offer instant distraction and gratification, replacing the days when a child was given their favourite toy to play with or received a hug as a form of comfort (or when a bored or fussy child was not something to be afraid of).
While technology has improved our lives tremendously by making information more accessible, research also shows that overdependence on technology, specifically unregulated screen time, is dangerous for children.
Poor social skills, vision problems, decreased attention, less family interaction and decreased cognitive skills are some of the issues associated with overreliance on technology.
I was pleasantly surprised to read that one of the YouTube cofounders warned about the consumption of short-form content on social media because it leads to shorter attention spans. This is a genuine concern for parents, educators and employers. A child’s brain is not fully developed until around the age of 25.
I worry that if we do not take action to reduce excessive screen time, we may jeopardize the cognitive development of our children and young adults. Prohibiting screen time is not the solution. Instead, we should focus on creating a safe environment for children and young adults, allowing for supervised usage while explaining both the benefits and risks of managing screen time.
It is also important to lead by example. Many adults admittedly are overly attached to their smartphones and struggle to envision a world without them. One individual described the experience of having their phone taken away as feeling “like part of me is missing.”
This highlights how deeply we have integrated these devices into our lives, to the point that they feel like a part of our identity. Imagine if a parent wakes up one day and tells their 15-year-old to hand over their phone without any explanation.
If, like me, you struggle with managing your own screen time, consider starting a 30-day behaviour change plan with your children to help manage screen time. This approach would provide accountability and allow the entire family to navigate this experience together.
In Ugandan culture, adults are often discouraged from showing vulnerability or even being accountable to children. However, you might be surprised by how much this could improve family interactions and relationships. In November 2024, the Australian government passed a law that bans social media for teenagers under 16 and imposes significant fines on tech companies that fail to comply.
When children and young teens have access to smartphones without supervision, they become vulnerable to online predators who may exploit their insecurities and innocence. Therefore, it is crucial to protect them. Mental health can be delicate for many individuals, especially children and young teens who are still going through various stages of development.
There have been numerous reports of young teens and children who have taken their own lives due to online bullying or encounters with predators on social media, which ultimately drove them to despair. While enacting laws to address these issues is a positive step, it is important to recognize that various stakeholders can contribute to the change we desire.
Parents, teachers, school administrators, and religious leaders, we can all play a significant role in this effort. Why does this matter? https://www.comparitech.com/tv-streaming/screentime-statistics/..some stats show that “the biggest screen-time consumers are located in Africa, Asia and South America.”
The average person spends six hours online every day (NITA Uganda). I believe parents are the first line of defense. Children often emulate our actions rather than simply listening to our words.
For example, if I constantly urge my 15-year-old to put down his phone but fail to model that behaviour myself, what message am I really sending him? The same applies to teachers; if they stand in front of the classroom scrolling through their phones, what example are they setting for their students?
Additionally, we might consider returning to more traditional practices in church, such as opening a physical Bible instead of relying on a Bible app on our phones.
While the app may be more convenient, I believe that if we preserved some of these old ways and managed our screen time more effectively, we could enhance our vision, improve our attention spans, spend more quality time with family, and foster social and cognitive skills.
The writer has worked with children her entire career and is interested in their emotional, social and cognitive development.
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