Mobile phones have become an integral aspect of school life, social interaction, and learning, highlighted information technology professional Mohammed Nafeez. In his comments, he noted that teachers are utilizing messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Viber, and Facebook Messenger to communicate notices and updates to parents.
Mr. Nafeez emphasized that in today’s world, where many parents work long hours, smartphones help bridge communication with their children, making outright bans on technology impractical. “The real issue is not the phone itself — it’s how long, how often, and what children are doing on it,” he stated.
Across Fiji, parents share similar concerns regarding their children’s excessive screen time. Issues such as late-night usage, exposure to inappropriate content, the adoption of negative language and behaviors observed online, diminished interest in physical activities, and emotional challenges when devices are restricted have surfaced. Many parents confess to conceding to device requests to avoid conflict, while others feel guilty, as screens tend to keep children occupied during busy moments.
Mr. Nafeez highlighted that health professionals warn about the adverse effects of prolonged screen time, which can lead to sleep disruptions, poor eyesight, bad posture, mental health issues, and weakened social skills. He pointed out that children engaged in extended screen use often experience poor sleep quality and reduced physical activity. Given Fiji’s existing concerns with childhood obesity and lifestyle diseases, lesser physical play exacerbates these problems.
He stressed that the focus should not be on banning technology but rather on instilling healthy usage habits. “Screens are here to stay,” he asserted, “but they should support family life — not replace it.” Adding a reassuring note, he mentioned that parents grappling with screen-time disagreements are not alone in their struggles, as many are navigating the same challenges globally.
Mr. Nafeez observed a growing trend where screens are displacing traditional family time in many Fijian homes, noting that devices have begun to feel like additional family members — often noisy ones. Morning routines involve YouTube cartoons, after-school time is consumed by gaming or social media, and “last videos” before bed frequently extend late into the night. He candidly recognized that for many parents, handing over a device can feel like a necessary compromise to maintain peace.
Moreover, he pointed out that family dinner conversations are noticeably decreasing, with individuals present but distracted by their screens. Mr. Nafeez mentioned studies indicating that children now typically spend between four to seven hours on screens daily, with reports from parents and teachers in Fiji reflecting similar trends of decreased outdoor play and increased classroom distractions.
Concerned that these phenomena are not confined to urban areas alone, he noted that villages and rural regions are facing the same challenges, with children spending less time outdoors engaging in traditional games and instead opting to scroll through videos.
By addressing these complexities, promoting healthy screen habits can lead to more balanced family dynamics and better overall wellbeing for children, preserving vital family interactions in the digital age.
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