Sidra Pediatric Expert Warns Summer Screen Time Can Disrupt 5 Areas of Children's Health
Updated
Updated · The Peninsula · Aug 9
Sidra Pediatric Expert Warns Summer Screen Time Can Disrupt 5 Areas of Children's Health
3 articles · Updated · The Peninsula · Aug 9
Summary
Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi said excessive summer screen use can undermine children’s sleep, concentration, emotional wellbeing, physical activity and social interaction, with harm extending beyond device time itself.
Late-night use is a key driver because screen light and stimulating content can suppress melatonin, disrupt sleep rhythms and leave children more irritable, less focused and less able to regulate emotions.
Parents should watch for distress when devices are removed, loss of interest in hobbies, withdrawal from family life, inactivity indoors, and physical symptoms such as headaches, eye strain and stiff necks.
Rather than imposing one fixed limit, Al Hammadi urged families to use the 5 C’s—Child, Content, Calm, Crowding Out and Communication—to judge whether media is displacing healthier routines.
He said parents are more likely to reset habits by offering alternatives such as swimming, cycling, baking and park playdates, aiming for balance rather than a blanket ban on technology.