Are SA kids suffering from screen overload? Here’s what experts say

South Africans really do love their screens. In fact, we spend more time glued to devices than almost any other nation and it’s starting to take a serious toll on our children’s mental health. The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) is sounding the alarm, warning that our obsession with screens is fuelling a growing mental health crisis among kids and teens.

It’s no wonder the Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year was brain-rot, a term that sums up fears about the effects of bingeing low-quality online content (hello, endless TikTok scrolls and dodgy memes).

And the stats are enough to make any parent want to chuck the iPad out the window. Adolescents who spend more than five hours a day on digital devices are 70% more likely to have suicidal thoughts or actions compared to those who clock in less than an hour. Even kids with ‘moderate’ screen time of four to six hours a day are at higher risk of anxiety and depression.

When it comes to schoolwork, it’s not looking good either. A massive 14-country study found that mobile phones distract students at every stage — from pre-primary to high school. Just having a phone nearby (especially with those pesky notifications pinging) is enough to derail their focus. And once they’re distracted? It can take up to 20 minutes for them to concentrate again.

Meanwhile, the average South African adult is clocking more than nine and a half hours a day on smartphones and spending nearly a third of our waking lives scrolling, swiping and tapping. Social media alone gobbles up over 22% of that time, with Facebook, Instagram and TikTok leading the pack.

“If we as adults are addicted, how can they not be?” asks Prof Renata Schoeman, psychiatrist and SASOP member. “We can’t expect kids to moderate their screen time when we’re always glued to ours. Children learn by watching us. If we don’t model healthy digital habits, we’re basically giving screen addiction the green light.”

Prof Schoeman says excessive screen use has been linked to:

• Higher risk of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem
• Poor sleep, especially with bedtime scrolling
• Slipping grades, thanks to reduced concentration and exposure to unhelpful content
• Social withdrawal, with real-life chats swapped for digital ones
• Exposure to cyberbullying, inappropriate content and harmful messages

And it’s not just mental health that takes a hit. Long hours hunched over devices can lead to headaches, eye strain, obesity and bad posture.

But before you stage a screen-free revolution, Prof Schoeman stresses that it’s all about balance. “Technology has its benefits, especially for learning, but unrestricted use does far more harm than good. The key is teaching children to use tech wisely — not banning it altogether.”

Her top tips for parents?

• Stick to age-appropriate limits: No screens for under-twos, max one hour for ages 2-5, and ideally no more than two hours a day for older kids
• Get them outdoors: Encourage screen-free playtime and fresh air
• Lead by example: Show healthy habits like taking breaks, putting phones away at dinner, and switching off before bed
• Create screen-free zones: Keep devices out of bedrooms and off the table at mealtimes
• Take overnight custody of devices: To help ensure proper sleep

“Kids don’t need perfect parents — they need consistent ones,” she says. “Small things, like putting your phone down at dinner, send a powerful message. And right now, our kids really need to hear it.”