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Smartphones, tablets and gaming devices have become part of everyday life for many children. However, growing concerns from UAE paediatricians and educators highlight how excessive screen use, particularly at night, may affect children's sleep, concentration and eye health. Parents are being encouraged to establish healthier digital habits before screen time begins to interfere with essential activities such as sleeping, learning and playing.
1. Late-Night Screens Can Disrupt Children's Sleep
Using phones, tablets or computers close to bedtime can make it harder for children to fall asleep. Evening light exposure can interfere with melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the body's sleep-wake cycle. Irregular bedtimes and insufficient sleep may leave children tired, irritable and less attentive during school hours.
What parents can do:
- Establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up schedule.
- Stop recreational screen use at least one hour before bedtime.
- Keep phones, tablets and gaming devices out of children's bedrooms overnight.
2. Excessive Screen Use May Affect Concentration and Behaviour
When screen use takes up too much of a child's day, it can displace activities that support healthy development, including physical exercise, reading, imaginative play and face-to-face interaction. Some children may also become frustrated when devices are taken away or struggle to transition to other activities. However, concentration and behavioural difficulties can have many causes, so persistent concerns should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Parents can help by setting clear, age-appropriate limits, providing advance warnings before screen time ends, and offering engaging alternatives such as outdoor play, board games or family activities.
3. Are Screens Contributing to Near-Sightedness?
Myopia, commonly known as near-sightedness, makes distant objects appear blurry. Research suggests that prolonged close-up activities and spending less time outdoors are associated with a greater risk of myopia in children. Screen use may contribute to this pattern, although it is not the only factor involved.
Parents can encourage regular breaks from close-up activities, outdoor play when practical, and routine eye examinations. Children who frequently squint, complain of headaches or sit unusually close to a television may benefit from a professional vision assessment.
4. How Much Screen Time Is Appropriate?
Screen-time guidance varies by age, and quality matters as much as quantity. The World Health Organization recommends avoiding sedentary screen time for one-year-olds and limiting it to no more than one hour daily for children aged two to four, with less being better. Older children also need limits that protect sleep, physical activity, schoolwork and social interaction.
Parents can create a family media plan by:
- Setting daily limits for recreational screen use.
- Keeping mealtimes and bedrooms screen-free.
- Choosing age-appropriate, educational content.
- Prioritising active play, reading and time with family and friends.
Consistency is more effective than relying on restrictions only when problems arise.
5. Building Healthier Digital Habits Starts at Home
Schools can encourage responsible technology use, but healthy routines also need support at home. Parents can lead by example, put their own devices away during family time, and help children understand why breaks and bedtime boundaries matter. Rather than treating screens as entirely harmful, the goal is to create a healthy balance between digital activities and the experiences children need to grow.
If a child has persistent sleep difficulties, declining school performance, ongoing eye discomfort or significant distress around device use, parents should seek advice from a paediatrician or appropriate specialist. Early support can help families identify underlying concerns and establish healthier routines.
The takeaway: Screens are part of modern life, but they should not replace sleep, movement, outdoor play or meaningful human connection. Small, consistent changes can help children develop healthier habits for the long term.
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