South Africa’s Screen Time Wake-Up Call: Protecting Our Families’ Minds and Well-Being
South Africa is making headlines again—but this time, it’s a wake-up call for every parent, grandparent, and caregiver.
We’ve become one of the countries with the highest daily screen time in the world, and experts are raising serious concerns about the long-term impact on our children and families.
Expert Insights from Dr. Melane van Zyl on Radio Cape Pulpit
In a recent interview with Radio Cape Pulpit, psychiatrist Dr. Melane van Zyl, a member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, shared powerful insights into how excessive screen time is affecting South African households.
Her message?
The crisis is real—and it’s hitting our children hard.
🎧 We’ve embedded the full audio recording below for those who want to hear Dr. van Zyl’s expert advice firsthand.
Radio Cape Pulpit - Dr Melane van Zyl
10 Hours a Day… And Children Are Following Our Lead
According to new studies, South African adults now spend nearly 10 hours a day on phones and digital devices—far above the global average.
And children and teenagers are following suit.
This isn’t just about entertainment. It’s about the growing rates of anxiety, depression, poor sleep, academic decline, and even suicidal thoughts among our youth.
Dr. van Zyl put it simply:
“Our children are imitating what they see at home.”
The Rise of “Brain Rot”: A Modern Health Warning
A term gaining global attention—“Brain Rot”—has now become part of this urgent conversation.
Named Oxford Dictionary’s 2024 Word of the Year, “brain rot” describes what happens when young brains spend too many hours scrolling through shallow, emotionally draining, and often harmful digital content.
Symptoms include:
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Difficulty concentrating
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Memory problems
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Emotional instability
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Drop in school performance
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Sleep disturbances
It’s Not Just the Hours—It’s the Content
Dr. van Zyl stressed that this isn’t just about how long kids are on screens—it’s about what they’re watching.
Much of the content on social media platforms is emotionally manipulative and mentally draining.
From toxic beauty standards and cyberbullying, to content that glorifies self-harm or promotes unhealthy lifestyles—the dangers are real.
“Social media algorithms are designed to keep users—especially teens—hooked and coming back for more,” she warned.
Blue Light, Sleep Loss, and Physical Side Effects
Beyond emotional health, excessive screen use has serious physical side effects too:
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Eye strain
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Chronic headaches
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Poor posture
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Reduced physical activity
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Interrupted sleep due to blue light exposure
Blue light from screens, especially at night, interferes with the body’s natural sleep cycles, leading to fatigue and mood swings.
Parents: The Example Starts at Home
Perhaps the most sobering part of the interview was this reminder:
“You can’t expect your child to cut back on screen time if you’re spending 10 hours a day on your phone.”
Children copy what they see—not just what they’re told.
If we want healthier, happier kids, we need to model balanced digital habits ourselves.
Practical Tips for Families:
✅ Device-Free Family Meals – Use mealtimes for real conversation.
✅ No Screens Before Bedtime – Help everyone wind down peacefully.
✅ Take Regular Device Breaks – Go for a walk, read a book, connect in person.
✅ Control the Content – Know what your kids are watching and set limits.
✅ Remove Devices at Night – Keep phones and tablets out of bedrooms.
WHO Screen Time Guidelines as a Family Baseline:
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Under 2 years: No screen time (except video calls)
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Ages 2–5: No more than 1 hour per day
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Ages 5+ and adults: Ideally less than 2 hours of non-work screen time daily
Schools Can Help—But Home is Where Change Happens
While schools can offer awareness programs and parent workshops, the primary responsibility lies with families.
“Schools can help by raising awareness,” Dr. van Zyl said, “but parents need to manage this at home.”
Our children need strong guidance, clear boundaries, and loving correction—especially in how they engage with the digital world.
Adults, We’re Not Immune Either
Dr. van Zyl also called out adults’ growing addiction to doomscrolling—hours spent consuming negative news and emotionally charged social media content.
The results?
Anxiety. Depression. Sleeplessness. Emotional exhaustion.
As adults, we must guard our own mental and emotional health—because our kids are watching.
A Call for Balance in South African Homes
South Africa’s screen time crisis is a family issue—not just a children’s issue.
The solution starts with us—with intentional parenting, wise choices, and leading by example.
Our children’s mental, emotional, and physical health depends on it.