Dr. Melane van Zyl: Why SA Kids’ Screen Time Is a Mental Health Crisis
By Dr. Melané van Zyl
South Africa’s Screen Time Crisis: Expert Warns of Rising Mental Health Risks in Children
South Africa is now officially leading the world—not in sports or education—but in daily screen time consumption. According to recent data highlighted by Dr. Melane van Zyl, a South African psychiatrist interviewed on ENCA News, South African adults spend an average of 10 hours per day on digital devices. Unfortunately, this excessive behavior is setting a dangerous example for the nation’s children.
Parents Setting the Wrong Example
Dr. van Zyl points out that children naturally emulate adult behavior. If parents spend hours scrolling through smartphones and tablets, it’s inevitable that children will follow suit.
“You can’t tell children to cut back on screen time when you’re glued to your own device,” Dr. van Zyl warned. “Kids will do what you do, not what you say.”
This parental modeling effect is causing South African adolescents to also top the global charts for screen time.
The Rise of ‘Brain Rot’ and Mindless Scrolling
The quality of screen content is just as worrying as the quantity. Dr. van Zyl referenced a growing trend of “mindless scrolling“—hours spent on social media and other non-educational, non-productive platforms. This compulsive behavior led to the Oxford Dictionary naming “Brain Rot” the 2024 Word of the Year, reflecting society’s growing awareness of digital overconsumption and its mental side effects.
“This term ‘brain rot’ isn’t just slang,” explained Dr. van Zyl. “It captures the reality that young people are consuming endless low-quality, often harmful content that negatively affects their developing brains.”
Long-Term Effects on Children’s Mental Health
The developing human brain continues growing until around the age of 25. Excessive and unfiltered screen time, especially on social platforms, is already showing alarming psychological effects:
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Poor sleep quality
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Decline in academic performance
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Increased risk of anxiety and depression
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Heightened instances of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
In fact, children with unrestricted screen access are reported to be 70% more likely to experience suicidal ideation or engage in suicidal behaviors compared to peers with limited screen time.
Why It Starts at Home – Not With Government Regulation
When asked why there isn’t stronger government intervention, Dr. van Zyl was clear: behavior change must start at home.
Parents need to establish healthy digital boundaries and model responsible device use. Some practical starting points include:
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Device-free family meals
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No screen time before bed
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Leading by example—parents should actively reduce their own screen time.
“Children will copy your actions, not your words. If you scroll mindlessly, they will too,” she emphasized.
The Bottom Line: Be the Example Your Child Needs
Dr. van Zyl’s closing message was a direct warning to parents: “If we don’t change our own digital habits, we’re setting our children up for mental health crises, cyberbullying, and emotional instability.”
As South Africa battles this growing screen-time epidemic, the solution lies less in external control and more in intentional parenting and lifestyle choices inside the home.
Quick Summary for Readers:
South Africa has the highest average daily screen time in the world, with children dangerously following adult patterns. Mindless scrolling and low-quality content consumption—recently dubbed “brain rot“—are leading to poor sleep, depression, anxiety, and even suicidal behavior in young people. Dr. Melane van Zyl advises parents to lead by example, set boundaries, and create healthy digital habits at home.