Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Smart technology has changed how children learn, play and interact with others - but for parents, it raises a persistent question: how much screen time is too much?
The balancing act unfolds daily in the household of Maryam Al Ali, a 38-year-old mother of three. For her, screens are a "double-edged sword," giving kids the chance to master new skills but risking their focus if overused.
Al Ali said she initially allowed her kids to use gadgets for brief sessions of entertainment. But as their educational demands grew, gadgets became part of their everyday routine - for learning, interacting with peers and finishing assignments.
That's when she decided to place tighter controls on screen time.
"I try to make sure that device use has a purpose, such as learning a new skill or searching for information."
Another mother, Hamda Rashid, said smart devices have become a constant part of her four kids' everyday lives with the rise of online learning platforms.
"I always try to set clear boundaries between study time and entertainment time."
Rashid, 40, said one of the most difficult things is getting kids to stop using gadgets, particularly when they're playing games or browsing digital content.
Dr Deepak Kumar Gandhi, Specialist in Paediatrics at Medeor Hospital in Dubai, said responsible use of technology starts from a child's early years.
"Ideally, children below the age of two should have no screen exposure, whether through a smart device or any other screen. However, using a phone for a five to ten-minute video call with parents or family members is acceptable."
Guidelines from the American Academy of Paediatrics and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommend children up to age five get no more than 30 minutes to an hour of screen time a day, split into shorter periods, he said.
"This is more than enough. Beyond that, it may become an addiction."
But drawing that line gets harder once devices are built into schooling, Dr Gandhi said. He recently treated a 10-year-old and an eight-year-old sibling who were studying on tablets from morning until evening at school.
"In such situations, it becomes difficult to separate necessary screen use from addiction."
He warned that constant exposure to fast-changing visuals, sounds and colours can leave children's brains overstimulated.
"This can make them irritable and cranky. They may also find it difficult to concentrate on one subject for a long time."
Using electronics as a diversion when kids are crying or eating, he added, could encourage bad habits.
"Ideally, television and other screen time should be avoided for as long as possible."
The expert emphasised that responsibility ultimately rests with parents, and that with consistent limits in place, managing screen time boils down to a simple guide.
"Parents should block content that is not suitable for their child's age. When children use a device for studying, parents should monitor how long they use it and what they are studying. Once the work is completed, the device should be switched off," he said.
