Experts in the UAE are raising concerns over the rising impact of excessive smartphone use on children’s mental health. From sleep disturbances and speech delays to increased anxiety and behavioural issues, doctors and educators are urging parents to adopt healthier screen habits to protect their children's well-being.
Dubai : Mental health experts and educators in the UAE are raising the alarm about growing evidence that smartphone use among children is linked to a range of physical and psychological risks. From sleep disruption and attention deficits to anxiety and social withdrawal, specialists say the time has come to rethink how young people engage with digital devices.
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Recent national surveys have revealed that approximately 86 percent of UAE children aged 5–8 regularly engage with digital media daily. With many households reporting multiple smartphone accounts per child, concerns are mounting over the effects of early and unsupervised screen exposure on well-being and development.
A peer-reviewed study involving children aged 8–17 found that use of smartphones or screen media before bedtime resulted in 30 to 60 minutes less sleep compared to peers who abstained. Lack of sleep not only causes morning fatigue but disrupts eating habits, leading to higher body mass indices. The UAE already faces high childhood obesity rates, making this finding especially concerning for health officials.
Clinicians at Medeor Hospital in Abu Dhabi have linked prolonged social media use among children to increased anxiety, reduced attention span, speech delays, and signs of conduct disorders. Comments, notifications, and dopamine-driven feedback loops are cited as driving compulsive engagement and difficulty disengaging.
Research also points to smartphone overuse triggering symptoms such as emotional distress, irritability, depressive mood, and social withdrawal. Sleep disruption, isolation from real-world activities, and reduced interpersonal communication further undermine emotional resilience.
Studies tracking screen-addicted teens highlight alarming outcomes. Children as young as 13 have reported hallucinations and aggressive behaviour linked to excessive digital immersion. In many cases, early exposure to smartphones—before age 13—correlates with increased risk of long-term mental health challenges, emotional instability, and lower self-worth.
Experts emphasise that the quality of device use matters more than total hours online. Addictive behaviours—such as emotional dependence, inability to stop using a device, and distress when separated from screens—are stronger indicators of mental health risk than screen time alone. This insight suggests the need for behavioural understanding, not just time limits.
In response to these trends, Screenwise Child UAE has emerged as a parent-led initiative advocating delaying smartphone access until age 14 and social media until age 16. With participation from more than 2,000 members and 75 schools, the movement promotes digital literacy, age-appropriate device use, and free play as essential for healthy development.
Many UAE schools are following suit, with policies banning smartphones during school hours, implementing safe phone storage solutions, or establishing tech-free zones. Parents are also encouraged to model healthy behaviour, limit phone use during meals and bedtime, and co-view digital content with children to promote critical thinking.
Medical professionals advise limiting children’s screen time, especially before bedtime, and choosing educational content over addictive apps. They recommend keeping devices out of bedrooms and encouraging alternative activities that promote physical activity, reading, creativity, and social interaction.
The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority emphasises the risk of speech and language delays tied to heavy screen use among toddlers and preschoolers. A global meta-analysis confirms that toddlers exposed to over two hours daily screens are significantly more likely to exhibit developmental difficulties.
The UAE government is actively addressing the issue. The Children’s Digital Wellbeing Pact, led by the Digital Wellbeing Council and relevant ministries, promotes safe device use in public spaces, schools, and homes. Mental health policies increasingly include components targeting digital hygiene and parent education efforts.
As smartphone penetration increases across households, the stakes continue to rise. Studies show that more than half of children globally—including in the UAE—have encountered contact from strangers online, while nearly 40 percent have faced explicit or violent content.
Allowing children unrestricted access to smartphones, experts warn, is like giving them keys to a world they are not prepared to navigate without filtering and guidance. The emphasis now is on early intervention, awareness-building, and establishing healthier digital habits before deeper problems emerge.
Smartphones are not inherently harmful—yet their careless or premature use can lead to mental health risks, disrupted development, and addictive behaviours in children. Educators, healthcare professionals, and parents in the UAE agree that balanced, purposeful technology use is essential.
By promoting safer devices, delaying social media exposure, reinforcing digital limits, and encouraging real-world play, the UAE continues to champion digital wellbeing for the next generation. In an increasingly connected world, teaching children to use smartphones thoughtfully may be one of the most important lessons of all.
