In today’s world, screens are woven into nearly every aspect of daily life, and children are growing up immersed in digital technology. With constant access to smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming devices, a new concern has emerged: electronic addiction. From online games and social media platforms to endless streams of short videos, many children spend hours each day absorbed in their screens.
This growing dependence has raised alarm among parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals alike. While technology undoubtedly offers valuable educational resources and numerous benefits, excessive screen time can have serious consequences. Overuse of digital devices may negatively affect children’s psychological well-being, physical health, and social development, potentially leading to long-term impacts on their overall growth and future well-being.
Psychological, Behavioral Disorders
Recent studies indicate that excessive use of electronic devices is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression among children. The virtual world, with its rapid and constant stimulation, weakens a child’s ability to practice patience and maintain focus in real life. Continuous exposure to inappropriate content or social comparisons on social media platforms may also negatively affect self-esteem and increase feelings of isolation.
In addition, electronic addiction can lead to aggressive behavior or temper outbursts when screen time is reduced, placing families in daily conflicts that may affect the stability of relationships between parents and children.
Decline in Academic Performance, Weak Concentration
One of the most prominent negative effects of electronic addiction is declining academic performance. A child who spends long hours playing or browsing often struggles with attention and completing homework. Becoming accustomed to the fast pace of digital content also reduces the ability to engage with traditional educational activities that require sustained concentration and continuous mental effort.
Growing Health Risks
The harm is not limited to psychological and educational aspects; it extends to physical health. Prolonged sitting in front of screens increases the likelihood of obesity due to lack of movement and may cause vision problems, as well as neck and back pain. Moreover, the blue light emitted by devices affects sleep quality, leading to disruptions in a child’s biological clock and negatively impacting growth and daytime concentration.
Weakening of Social Skills
Excessive reliance on virtual communication may limit a child’s ability to build healthy real-life social relationships. Group play in neighborhoods or schools—once a space for learning cooperation and conflict resolution—has often been replaced by superficial digital interactions. This shift may weaken skills such as dialogue, empathy, and teamwork.
Shared Responsibility, Possible Solutions
Addressing electronic addiction does not mean banning technology altogether; rather, it requires conscious and balanced management of its use. Education experts emphasize the importance of setting clear screen-time rules while encouraging children to engage in physical activities and creative hobbies. Parents are also advised to model moderate device use and to participate in selecting and discussing appropriate content with their children.
Schools and media institutions also play a vital role in raising awareness about the risks of excessive technology use and in providing educational programs that help children develop a healthy relationship with the digital world.
Saudi Arabia’s “Child Protection in Cyberspace Index” Reduces Digital Challenges
Saudi Arabia has launched the “Child Protection in Cyberspace Index” to measure and enhance digital safety for children globally. The initiative was introduced as part of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s program, in cooperation with international bodies such as the DQ Institute.
The index aims to protect children from cyber threats and develop their digital skills, with a target of reaching 150 million children. It evaluates countries’ efforts across several pillars, including schools, parents, technological infrastructure, the private sector, and national policies.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution supporting the initiative, which seeks to develop the skills of more than 16 million beneficiaries and implement response frameworks in over 50 countries under the supervision of the Global Cybersecurity Forum Foundation.
This launch further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s global standing in cybersecurity, following its top ranking in the 2025 cybersecurity index.
International Federation for Child Rights in Egypt: Global Vision for Protecting Childhood
The International Federation for Child Rights is considered one of the leading non-governmental organizations dedicated to promoting and protecting children’s rights, based on international standards and agreements, foremost among them those of the United Nations and its Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Federation seeks to establish principles of justice and equality, ensuring a safe and healthy environment that supports children’s growth and guarantees them a dignified life across societies.
In Egypt, the Federation plays an active role in supporting national efforts to protect children from all forms of violence, exploitation, and neglect through raising community awareness, organizing events and training programs, and strengthening cooperation with civil society institutions and relevant authorities. It also works to embed a culture of children’s rights within educational and social institutions and to activate comprehensive protection and care concepts.
Electronic International University
In cooperation with the Electronic International University, the Federation launched a series of training workshops, including a lecture titled “The Risks of Electronic Addiction on Children,” delivered by Dr. Fatima El-Sayed El-Ahmar. The lecture addressed the negative effects of excessive device use on children’s mental health and behavior, as well as its impact on academic achievement.
In this context, directives from Counselor Ayman El-Naggar, President of the International Federation for the Defense of Child Rights in Egypt and Advisor to the Secretary-General for Administrative and Executive Affairs for North Africa at the United Organizations, emphasized the importance of activating the Federation’s field role within society. This includes organizing awareness campaigns and training workshops targeting children, parents, and educational institutions, with a focus on contemporary challenges—most notably the risks of electronic addiction.
The Federation’s work is grounded in key principles, including the child’s right to education, healthcare, legal protection, and community participation. It stems from a firm belief that investing in childhood is an investment in the future of nations, as children form the cornerstone of sustainable development and social stability.
The Federation’s efforts in Egypt reflect a continuous commitment to building an environment that respects children’s dignity, supports their potential, and aligns with the global vision of protecting and promoting human rights.
Balancing Technology, Responsibility
In a world where technological development is accelerating, the real challenge remains achieving balance. Technology is a tool that can be a source of knowledge and creativity, but it may turn into a silent danger if guidance and supervision are absent. Protecting children from electronic addiction is not an individual task but a collective responsibility that requires continuous awareness and cooperation among families, schools, and society to ensure the upbringing of a generation capable of benefiting from technology without falling into its traps.
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