MUSCAT : Extended screen time and the blurring of virtual and real-world boundaries are creating new health risks, prompting experts to call for awareness, regulation, and practical interventions.

Warda Bint Wahid Al Houti, a counselling and psychotherapy specialist, said that many young people feel mentally exhausted, often unaware of how much time is lost to unconscious screen use. This overexposure, she explained, erodes the sense of time, reduces productivity, and fosters guilt as attention is diverted from meaningful priorities. Excessive use, she added, weakens self-regulation, encourages procrastination, and disrupts the balance between digital engagement and real-life responsibilities.

Al Houti pointed out that managing screen time is closely tied to productivity and focus. Constant notifications, fast-paced content, and frequent app-switching reduce the ability to concentrate deeply, affecting academic and professional performance. She stressed that self-awareness is critical, allowing young people to recognize when screen use becomes harmful and to set realistic limits that foster a balanced, conscious relationship with technology.

Dr. Zamzam bint Ali Al Hashemi, Head of the Behavioural Analysis and Social Marketing Department at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the physical consequences of prolonged screen exposure. She explained that digital eye strain, including dry eyes, blurred vision, and headaches, results from continuous near-screen use and reduced blinking. Poor posture during device use can also lead to musculoskeletal problems such as “phone neck,” neck and back pain, and gradual spinal changes, which may begin in school years. She urged early education on proper device use, including taking regular breaks, applying the 20-20-20 eye-rest rule, and maintaining correct screen height and posture.

IT specialist Mohammed bin Khamis Al Ajmi noted that while digital platforms offer learning and social opportunities, excessive use can harm mental health, social relationships, and academic performance. He stressed the importance of distinguishing between productive technology use and unhealthy dependence, emphasizing the role of families and educational institutions in setting usage limits, providing non-digital alternatives, and fostering preventative awareness.

Dr. Abeer bint Abdullah Al Mujaini, a child and adolescent mental health specialist, pointed to the psychological effects of social media algorithms, which amplify attention-grabbing and emotionally charged content. Young users often compare their own lives to idealized online images, heightening anxiety, low self-esteem, and mood swings. She explained that regulating usage, cultivating critical awareness, and focusing on personal growth rather than external comparisons can mitigate these negative effects. Families and schools, she said, play a pivotal role in guiding young people to maintain balanced digital habits, protect mental health, and strengthen resilience.

Experts agree that promoting a healthy relationship with technology among youth requires combined efforts from families, educators, and health professionals, focusing on conscious use, self-awareness, and practical strategies to prevent physical and mental harm while retaining the benefits of digital engagement.

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