South Africa’s Screen Time Crisis: Expert Warnings from Dr. Melane van Zyl on the Mental Health Risks for Children and Adults
South Africa is making headlines for all the wrong reasons: we are now among the countries with the highest average daily screen time in the world.
On Radio Islam, Dr. Melane van Zyl, a respected psychiatrist and member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, shared expert insights into how this excessive screen time is driving a growing mental health crisis—especially among children and teenagers.
🎧 Listen to the Full Interview with Dr. Melane van Zyl (Radio Islam)
We’ve embedded the full audio recording below for those who want to hear Dr. van Zyl’s expert advice firsthand.
Radio Islam - Dr Melane van Zyl
South Africans Leading the World in Screen Time
According to recent studies, South African adults spend close to 10 hours per day on their phones and digital devices—far above the global average.
Worse still, children and adolescents are following this example, leading to a worrying surge in anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors among young people.
Dr. van Zyl emphasized that South African teens are now among the global leaders in daily screen time, putting their mental, emotional, and physical health at risk.
Brain Rot: More Than Just a Buzzword
A term that has gained international attention—“Brain Rot”, named Oxford Dictionary’s 2024 Word of the Year—is now at the center of this discussion.
“Brain rot means the brain is no longer functioning the way it should,” Dr. van Zyl explained.
“Prolonged exposure to low-quality digital content, mindless scrolling, and the addictive nature of social media is damaging young, developing brains.“
Symptoms of “brain rot” in teens and children include:
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Difficulty concentrating
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Poor memory
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Decline in academic performance
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Sleep disturbances
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Emotional instability
Content Quality + Blue Light Exposure = Double Impact
Dr. van Zyl stressed that the problem isn’t just about the number of hours spent on screens—it’s also about the quality of content being consumed and exposure to blue light from digital devices.
Blue light, though not proven to cause cancer or permanent eye damage, interferes with sleep cycles, contributes to eye strain, and worsens overall fatigue.
At the same time, the content children and teens consume—especially on social media—is often emotionally manipulative, mentally draining, and even dangerous (think cyberbullying, toxic beauty standards, or pro-anorexia and self-harm content).
“Social media algorithms are designed to keep users—especially teens—hooked and coming back for more,” she warned.
Physical Health Risks from Prolonged Screen Use
Beyond mental health, Dr. van Zyl outlined several long-term physical health risks linked to excessive device use:
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Chronic headaches
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Eye strain
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Poor posture
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Sedentary behavior leading to weight gain
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General decline in physical activity levels
The Parenting Dilemma: Why Kids Copy What They See
One of the strongest points Dr. van Zyl made during the interview was the role of parental behavior.
“You can’t tell your child to cut down on screen time if you’re on your phone for 10 hours a day,” she said.
“Children copy what their parents do—not what they say.”
Some practical tips she gave for parents included:
✅ Device-free family meals
✅ No screens during bedtime routines
✅ Taking regular device breaks
✅ Monitoring the type of content children access
✅ Physically removing phones or tablets at night to prevent secret late-night usage
She also highlighted WHO recommendations for healthy screen time:
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Under 2 years old: No screen time at all (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 no more than 2 hours of non-work screen time daily
The Role of Schools: Partnering with Parents
With digital platforms becoming increasingly integrated into education, schools also have a role to play, but Dr. van Zyl made it clear the primary responsibility lies with parents.
“Schools can help by raising awareness among parents,” she said.
“But at the end of the day, parents need to manage this at home. If children see their parents constantly on their phones, they’ll do the same.”
She urged schools to run parent education programs, discuss screen time risks at school events, and encourage healthy digital habits among learners.
Doomscrolling: A Growing Problem for Adults Too
Dr. van Zyl didn’t hold back when addressing adults’ screen habits.
From endless news consumption to doomscrolling through negative social media content, adults are also facing mental health fallout, including:
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Heightened anxiety
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Depression
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Sleep problems
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Emotional exhaustion
“Even adults are getting trapped by emotionally charged, algorithm-driven content that feeds anxiety and fear,” she warned.
Final Word: The Solution Starts at Home
South Africa’s screen time crisis is a family problem, not just a children’s problem.
Dr. van Zyl’s closing message was clear:
“Parents need to lead by example, create balance, and build healthier digital habits—both for themselves and their children.“