Exploring the Impact of Smartphone Addiction in UAE's Children Through a Nine-Hour Film
In a striking attempt to raise awareness about the alarming rise of smartphone addiction among youth in the UAE, MullenLowe MENA, in collaboration with Fixby, has released an innovative nine-hour film titled "Don't Look Down." Recently screened at Roxy Cinemas, this film holds a mirror to the pervasive practice of excessive smartphone use which, according to recent statistics, grips over 80% of the students in the UAE.
The film's runtime is intentionally extended to reflect the average time children, teens, and pre-teens spend engrossed in their smartphones — approximately nine hours and eighteen minutes per day. It not only provokes thought about this staggering reality but also engages audiences in a narrative that underscores the plethora of issues stemming from smartphone overuse. Among these issues are mental health challenges like ADHD, depression, social anxiety, and loneliness, effectively making the film both a cautionary tale and a call to action.
As smartphones increasingly become integral to daily life, research indicates that 84% of students in the UAE engage in more than seven hours of screen time daily, with a staggering 28% of Emirati youth exhibiting signs of smartphone addiction. This addiction correlates directly with elevated levels of anxiety and depression, alongside deteriorating sleep quality. Moreover, troubling internal statistics from platforms like TikTok suggest that 95% of smartphone users under 17 utilize the app, with its algorithms designed to sustain users' attention often driving them to severe sleep deprivation and poorer social interactions.
In response to the growing awareness of this crisis, Fixby has taken significant steps toward providing real-world solutions, such as implementing lockable phone pouches in schools to mitigate smartphone distractions. According to Daniel Herbert, Managing Director of Fixby, their aim is to nurture environments within families and educational institutions where children can prosper away from digital distractions. "The film serves as a wake-up call. We aspire to inspire substantive change in how youth engage with technology using tools like our Fixby pouches, fostering healthier digital habits," he stated.
Insightful findings from Dr. Alison Burrows, an authority on screen time, emphasize the potential detriments of excessive screen use on children’s mental and emotional development. Nearly two-thirds of parents expressed concern that their kids spend too much time glued to screens. Notably, YouTube and Snapchat emerged as predominant platforms, generating worries about children’s social skills and technology use patterns.
Dr. Burrows further noted that a substantial 71% of parents think that children would benefit from not having devices in schools, with 86% voicing apprehensions about technology’s adverse effects on their offspring. She urges communities to recognize the profound impact screen time has on concentration, emotional stability, and sleeping patterns — demonstrate that working together can help children thrive without the constant tether to their screens.
Advocating for a more balanced approach, Fixby suggests delaying access to social media until the age of 16 and discourages the presence of mobile phones in classrooms before this age. Schools are challenged to enhance digital literacy through alternate educational tools rather than personal devices, creating healthier learning environments.
Following the film's screening, an engaging panel discussion took place with notable figures, including Dr. Burrows and representatives from educational institutions who provided pragmatic strategies for parents and educators aiming to tackle smartphone overuse. Their collective strategy is to equip families and schools to create spaces that minimize reliance on devices and nurture meaningful relationships toward technology, thereby improving overall well-being.
Completing the screening with action-oriented discussions, the goal remains clear: to engage the community in conversations about responsible smartphone use and to inspire change that allows children to develop healthy habits amidst an increasingly digital world.
The film's runtime is intentionally extended to reflect the average time children, teens, and pre-teens spend engrossed in their smartphones — approximately nine hours and eighteen minutes per day. It not only provokes thought about this staggering reality but also engages audiences in a narrative that underscores the plethora of issues stemming from smartphone overuse. Among these issues are mental health challenges like ADHD, depression, social anxiety, and loneliness, effectively making the film both a cautionary tale and a call to action.
As smartphones increasingly become integral to daily life, research indicates that 84% of students in the UAE engage in more than seven hours of screen time daily, with a staggering 28% of Emirati youth exhibiting signs of smartphone addiction. This addiction correlates directly with elevated levels of anxiety and depression, alongside deteriorating sleep quality. Moreover, troubling internal statistics from platforms like TikTok suggest that 95% of smartphone users under 17 utilize the app, with its algorithms designed to sustain users' attention often driving them to severe sleep deprivation and poorer social interactions.
In response to the growing awareness of this crisis, Fixby has taken significant steps toward providing real-world solutions, such as implementing lockable phone pouches in schools to mitigate smartphone distractions. According to Daniel Herbert, Managing Director of Fixby, their aim is to nurture environments within families and educational institutions where children can prosper away from digital distractions. "The film serves as a wake-up call. We aspire to inspire substantive change in how youth engage with technology using tools like our Fixby pouches, fostering healthier digital habits," he stated.
Insightful findings from Dr. Alison Burrows, an authority on screen time, emphasize the potential detriments of excessive screen use on children’s mental and emotional development. Nearly two-thirds of parents expressed concern that their kids spend too much time glued to screens. Notably, YouTube and Snapchat emerged as predominant platforms, generating worries about children’s social skills and technology use patterns.
Dr. Burrows further noted that a substantial 71% of parents think that children would benefit from not having devices in schools, with 86% voicing apprehensions about technology’s adverse effects on their offspring. She urges communities to recognize the profound impact screen time has on concentration, emotional stability, and sleeping patterns — demonstrate that working together can help children thrive without the constant tether to their screens.
Advocating for a more balanced approach, Fixby suggests delaying access to social media until the age of 16 and discourages the presence of mobile phones in classrooms before this age. Schools are challenged to enhance digital literacy through alternate educational tools rather than personal devices, creating healthier learning environments.
Following the film's screening, an engaging panel discussion took place with notable figures, including Dr. Burrows and representatives from educational institutions who provided pragmatic strategies for parents and educators aiming to tackle smartphone overuse. Their collective strategy is to equip families and schools to create spaces that minimize reliance on devices and nurture meaningful relationships toward technology, thereby improving overall well-being.
Completing the screening with action-oriented discussions, the goal remains clear: to engage the community in conversations about responsible smartphone use and to inspire change that allows children to develop healthy habits amidst an increasingly digital world.
Topics Entertainment & Media）
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