Online Reporter
Jacqueline Ntaka, Opinion
THE pervasive presence of digital screens has fundamentally reshaped modern life, with constant connectivity becoming the new normal, particularly for younger generations across the globe, including in parts of Africa and Zimbabwe. This relentless ‘always-on’ culture presents a complex challenge to mental well-being, raising profound concerns among parents, educators, and health professionals, as the subtle, yet potent, effects of prolonged screen time begin to manifest as a public health issue.
In the developed world, the debate is often framed around the substitution effect, where hours spent scrolling through curated social media feeds or engaging in immersive online gaming displace essential in-person social interaction, physical activity, and adequate sleep, all cornerstones of sound mental health. Studies suggest a correlation between high, non-school-related screen use and increased symptoms of anxiety and depression among adolescents.
This is compounded by the pressures of social comparison — the relentless presentation of idealised lives online fosters feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem — and the risk of cyberbullying, which can have devastating psychological consequences, creating a vicious circle where emotional distress leads to further reliance on the screen as a coping mechanism. The sheer volume of information, often irrelevant, also contributes to a phenomenon known as “information overload” and mental fatigue, making sustained attention and focus increasingly difficult.
While the fundamental relationship between excessive screen time and detrimental mental health outcomes — such as sleep disturbance, heightened stress, and depression — is observed universally, the context in Africa introduces nuanced layers to this issue. In urban centres of countries like Zimbabwe, where connectivity and device ownership are on the rise, privileged young people are increasingly exposed to the double-edged sword of digital technology. On one hand, the internet offers unprecedented access to education, global communities, and support networks, which can actually boost well-being and a sense of belonging, especially in contexts where offline social integration may be challenging. On the other hand, a surge in screen use, often for entertainment or social media, has been linked to similar psychological disturbances seen elsewhere, including increased stress, inattention, and feelings of depression among university students in Zimbabwe, particularly exacerbated by the intense demands and isolation experienced during periods like the Covid-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, for younger children in Africa, particularly those in urban areas, the sedentary nature of prolonged screen use directly clashes with traditional, physically active play essential for developing gross and fine motor skills. The cultural emphasis on communal living and face-to-face interaction is subtly eroded when a device becomes the child’s primary companion, potentially hindering the development of crucial social and communication skills — a profound cultural loss alongside a psychological one. While the “digital divide” means that many rural communities still face challenges regarding access, as connectivity expands, the need for balanced digital literacy and mental health awareness becomes paramount to ensure that technology serves as a tool for empowerment and connection, rather than becoming a source of widespread psychological distress.
Ultimately, the issue is not simply about the quantity of time spent in front of a screen, but the quality and context of that engagement.
Whether in California or Bulawayo, the challenge is shifting the focus from an outright ban to promoting mindful technology use — the so-called “Goldilocks hypothesis” suggests moderate use may even be beneficial. For parents and policymakers, the path forward must involve fostering digital literacy, encouraging active screen use that supports social connection or creativity, and, crucially, protecting the time dedicated to offline activities, such as physical exercise and face-to-face socialising, which remain the most vital safeguards against the psychological toll of our hyper-connected world.
Jacqueline Ntaka is the CEO of Mviyo Technologies, a local tech company that provides custom software development, mobile applications and data analytics solutions. She can be contacted on [email protected]
