Irbid, May 18 (Petra) – With tense morning routines and emotional outbursts, six-year-old Saif frantically searches for his smartphone to start his day filled with digital stimulation. As he shifts between smart toys and apps, his world is consumed by flashing screens, while real-life interaction and play gradually fade from his daily routine.

Saif’s story is echoed across thousands of Jordanian households, where children are spending more than five hours daily on smart devices amid weak supervision and limited alternatives. These devices have effectively become “digital homes” for an entire generation.

Family and educational psychological consultant Hanin Al-Batoush explains that digital screens captivate children by immersing them in visually rich, fast-paced content that induces anxiety and fear without them realizing it. This, she notes, can affect concentration, academic performance, and emotional expression.

While screens can provide educational and entertaining material, Al-Batoush warns of the psychological risks associated with excessive use such as heightened anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal. She also noted the adverse effects of blue light on sleep and mood, and the dangers of violent content, which can lead to behavioral problems and reduced interest in meaningful activities.

Speech therapist Mahmoud Al-Deek highlighted the significant impact of screen overuse on language development, particularly among toddlers. He stressed that real human interaction is essential for emotional and social development. Children under the age of five, he added, should engage in real conversations, play, and emotional exchange elements often missing in screen-dominated environments.

Al-Deek also referenced studies suggesting that excessive screen exposure, especially before 18 months of age, can result in autism-like symptoms, including poor eye contact, speech delay, and social withdrawal symptoms that may improve with reduced screen time and increased human interaction.

Khaled Shdeifat, Professor of Speech and Language Disorders at the Jordan University of Science and Technology, acknowledged some educational benefits of screen use but emphasized that the risks outweigh the advantages especially for children under two. He pointed to research linking excessive screen use in early childhood to delays in language acquisition, comprehension, vocabulary, and general cognitive development, all of which affect future academic and social performance.

He cited World Health Organization guidelines recommending zero screen exposure for children under two, and no more than one hour of passive screen time daily for children aged two to four.

In a related study, Tayseer Abu Arja, a media professor at Petra University, found that girls are more adversely affected by video games than boys due to fewer opportunities for outdoor play. This leads to increased indoor screen time and social isolation. However, the study also acknowledged moderate cognitive benefits of video games, including enhanced imagination, thinking patterns, and even online social interaction through multiplayer games.

As digital content continues to shape the lives of Jordanian children, experts are calling for increased awareness, balanced screen use, and the revival of traditional play and communication to ensure healthy emotional, cognitive, and social development.

//Petra// AO
18/05/2025 14:32:09