malvernmugadzikwa
Fatima Bulla-Musakwa and Tawanda Musarurwa
“DIGITAL NATIVE” is a term that describes a person born or brought up during the age of digital technology and is familiar with computers and the internet from an early age.
Ironically, many digital natives were raised by “digital immigrants”, meaning people who were born and raised before the advent of the internet and many of the technologies we have today.
However, smartphone addiction among children (and even adults themselves) has become increasingly pervasive and problematic.
All things being equal, parents and guardians, as primary caregivers, are largely responsible for this worrying trend.
By providing children with smartphones without establishing clear boundaries, they inadvertently open the door to potential addiction.
Children might lack the discipline, maturity and self-regulation needed to manage their screen time effectively, making parental guidance crucial.
Psychologists say parents often model smartphone behaviour that children mimic.
If parents are constantly on their devices, it sends a message that frequent phone use is acceptable, even expected.
This sets a precedent for children to follow, often leading them to become overly reliant on their devices for entertainment, social interaction and even self-validation.
Local psychologist Dr Leonard Tapiwa Makoni said some parents may use smartphones as a convenient tool to keep children occupied, especially in busy or stressful situations.
“Where is the issue? It is us the parents who introduce children to gadgets. And for most parents, it is because we have not been equipped with the skills to manage children’s demands. We are also living under extra stressors of our own.
“So, for most parents, it is, ‘Oh, let me have time out. Give the child the TV, let them play with the phone, let them play games’,” said Dr Makoni.
He said this can foster a dependency on the device for comfort or distraction, laying the groundwork for addiction.
“Children find pleasure in using these gadgets.
“And increasingly, it is not the gadget itself, but it is the desire to have that comfort, that pleasure that drives them to that gadget,” added Dr Makoni.
“The gadgets we give them do have an impact on the brain, which is addictive.”
While societal and technological factors do play a role, parents and guardians are directly responsible for shaping their children’s habits.
It is believed that failure to set limits, model healthy behaviour and educate children about responsible smartphone use can significantly contribute to smartphone addiction.
Professor Admire Mare, an associate professor at the University of Johannesburg and head of the communication and media studies department, opines that there is a generation of parents that seem to believe that technologies can be used for parenting.
“So, they are literally buying these technologies for young people — smartphones for kids that are very young. So, three years, two years already, a kid has a key, a phone,” said Professor Mare.
“And sometimes parents are so busy that they do not even have time to check what is really happening on these platforms.
“And I think the generation that we are creating is a generation that is pretty much driven by technology, so they are pretty much focusing on their own selves and they do not want to interact with others. So, there are less social skills.”
Confessions
Patricia Muchemwa agrees with the experts’ observations about smartphone use in families.
Muchemwa shares her own experiences with her now six-year-old son, whom she bought a smartphone when he was five.
She initially saw the device as a parenting tool to manage her work-life balance.
However, she has grown concerned about her son’s increasing reliance on the gadget.
“He has become less interested in playing with his peers and gets agitated when the device’s battery is low or flat.
“There has been a massive decline in his social interactions, as he seems less engaged with his family and peers in person. He appears happy and content while using the smartphone for games and online activities,” said Muchemwa.
Another parent added: “My daughter has a collection of books, but she rarely shows any interest in them. As soon as she gets home from school, she is drawn to her smartphone.
“Sometimes, she even forgets to eat or complete simple tasks.”
Addictive tools
Smartphones and applications are deliberately designed to be addictive, with features like endless scrolling, notifications and rewards systems that encourage prolonged use.
This makes it challenging for anyone, including children, to self-regulate.
Teen life coach Tafadzwa Musarurwa said before adults can effectively monitor and control their children’s smartphone use, they need to be able to set boundaries for themselves.
“Adults are getting addicted to phones themselves,” he said.
“Sometimes they find themselves going to the wrong sites . . . so, if an adult can be that indisciplined and end up getting involved in the wrong stuff, how much more of a child?
“So, sometimes children just need help in monitoring, because at times parents actually help nurse addiction by exposing children to phones from a very tender age and letting them play with phones 24/7.”
Dangers of addition
Smartphone addiction poses significant risks for both children and adults, affecting mental health, physical well-being and social interactions.
For children, research highlights severe consequences.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics — a monthly peer-reviewed medical journal published by the American Medical Association — found that increased screen time is associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents.
Additionally, a study from the National Institute of Health (NIH) reported that children who spent more than two hours a day on screens scored lower on language and thinking tests.
Excessive smartphone use, especially before bed, also disrupts sleep patterns and leads to reduced sleep quality and shorter sleep duration.
Adults also at risk
Adults are not immune to the dangers of smartphone addiction.
A study in the Journal of Behavioural Addictions found that adults who are overly dependent on smartphones experience higher levels of anxiety, depression and stress.
Moreover, a study published in Computers in Human Behaviour revealed that excessive smartphone use is correlated with lower self-esteem and increased loneliness in adults.
Physically, prolonged use leads to issues like computer vision syndrome, a condition caused by poor posture and digital eye strain, as confirmed by a study in BMC Ophthalmology.
Both groups also face reduced attention spans and disrupted daily routines, with long-term implications for overall well-being.
Addressing this addiction requires mindful usage and intentional breaks from technology.
Online Reporter
Tinaye Agere