Latest news with #SASOP
News24
14 hours ago
- Health
- News24
Rethinking screen time: Are we modelling healthy habits for our kids?
Noel Hendrickson, Getty Images South Africans rank among the highest in global screen time usage, with adults averaging nearly 10 hours daily on devices, raising concerns about the impact on children observing these habits. Experts warn of the mental, emotional, and physical risks excessive screen time poses, from anxiety to poor academic performance. By making small lifestyle changes, such as having device-free family time and using built-in screen-time tools, parents can lead by example and promote a healthier, more balanced approach to technology. South Africa has earned a dubious distinction: its citizens spend more time glued to screens than most other nations. With the average South African adult devoting a staggering nine hours and 37 minutes daily to smartphones, nearly a third of their waking hours, it's clear we're in the grip of a digital addiction. But as parents scroll through social media (which alone consumes 22% of daily usage), what lessons are we teaching our children about healthy technology use? The disturbing cost of screen obsession The SA Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) warns that our screen addiction is fuelling a mental health crisis among young people. The statistics paint a troubling picture: - Adolescents spending more than five hours daily on devices are 70% more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those with less than an hour of screen time. - Even moderate use (four to six hours) increases risks of anxiety and depression compared to peers with just two hours less exposure. - Studies across 14 countries found cellphones consistently disrupt learning - with notifications alone requiring up to 20 minutes for children to refocus. Psychiatrist Professor Renata Schoeman explains the ripple effects: Excessive screen time links to depression, anxiety, poor sleep, declining academic performance, social withdrawal, and exposure to harmful content like cyberbullying or eating disorder promotion. Physical consequences include obesity, eye strain, and poor posture. Parents' confessions: Holding a mirror to our habits Before reading SASOP's findings, I started to think about what my phone usage looks like to my four-year-old after she chastised her father for always being on his phone. After reading SASOP's warning, I wondered about my own usage stats. According to the dashboard in my device's Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls centre, I spend four to five hours on my phone daily. Screenshot Screenshot Screenshot I contacted other South African parents about their screen habits for this piece. Here's what they shared: Khaya (8h25m): Acknowledges work demands that necessitate usage but vows to be more present. Tinashe (eight to 10 hours): Admits his daughter associates him with his computer. Marilynn (5h45m): Calls her usage 'excessive' and feels guilty. Iavan (5h50m): Justifies nighttime scrolling as 'downtime'. Lerato (7h40m): Shares devices with kids watching YouTube. Hein (10h20m): Acknowledges that his screen time doesn't set a healthy example. Their honesty reminds me of an uncomfortable truth: children learn by observation. 'I don't think it's the healthiest example because my daughter associates me with my computer a lot, however I do try and manage her screen time and encourage breaks for outdoor time or other activities. Sometimes I'll switch everything off and leave music in the background,' says Tinashe. Lerato's screen time. As Schoeman notes: 'We cannot expect children to moderate screen time when they see adults constantly glued to phones.' Practical tools for change The solution isn't shaming ourselves and others or abandoning screens but finding balance. Both Apple and Android devices offer built-in tools: - Screen Time Tracking (iOS/Android): Shows daily/weekly usage per app. - App Limits: Set daily caps on usage for specific apps. - Downtime/Focus Mode: Blocks non-essential apps during set hours. - Bedtime Mode: Silences notifications and grays out screens. - Do Not Disturb: Pauses alerts during family time or work. Schoeman also recommends: - No screens under age two; less than one hour for ages two to five; less than two hours for older kids. - Device-free meals and bedrooms. - Modelling breaks and offline activities. - Overnight device custody for teens. Small changes, big impact As Lerato discovered, simple swaps, like outdoor chores with kids, can reshape family habits. Reflecting on her goals, Marilynn says: 'Ideally, I'd like to take that number down to two hours or so. With all the research around the negative impacts of increased screen time, I feel quite guilty that I'm not setting a better example and do hope to do better.' 'Children don't need perfection,' reminds Schoeman, 'they need consistency.' Putting phones away at dinner or disabling notifications during homework sends powerful messages. With South Africa's screen stats among the world's highest, I find it ironic that we must not forget that our children are watching (us). The question of what our solution to the crisis highlighted by SASOP isn't just about their screen time but ours, too. As the parents, we spoke to demonstrate that awareness is the first step toward change. What will your screen time teach your child today? - To check your screen time on an Android device, open your settings and scroll to Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls or a similar setting. You can find your screen time report on an Apple device in your control centre.
News24
3 days ago
- Health
- News24
Is your child's screen time creating a mental health problem? Experts weigh in
In a country where adults spend nearly a third of their waking hours scrolling through smartphones, South African children are silently suffering the consequences of our collective screen addiction. The South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) is sounding the alarm on what has become a genuine mental health crisis among the nation's youth. The concern has grown so widespread that 'brain-rot'—the term describing the impact of consuming excessive low-quality online content—was recently crowned Oxford Dictionary's Word of the Year. For South African families, this isn't just a clever phrase but a daily reality with serious implications. The numbers tell a troubling story Research reveals a direct connection between screen time and mental well-being. Adolescents spending more than five hours daily on digital devices are 70% more likely to experience suicidal thoughts or actions compared to those with less than an hour of daily screen time. Even moderate usage (4-6 hours daily) significantly increases symptoms of anxiety and depression. South African adults are setting a problematic example, averaging 9 hours and 37 minutes daily on smartphones. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok consume more than 22% of this time. 'If we as adults are addicted, how can they not be?' questions Prof. Renata Schoeman, psychiatrist and SASOP member. 'We cannot expect children to moderate their screen time when they see adults constantly glued to their phones. Children learn by observing. If we don't model healthy digital behaviour, we are silently endorsing screen addiction.' Read more | 3 reasons why you should trade screen-time for cuddles with your little one Beyond mental health: The full impact The consequences extend beyond mental health concerns. Studies across 14 countries found that mobile phones consistently distract students from learning. Even having a phone nearby with notifications interrupts concentration, and once distracted, children may need up to 20 minutes to refocus. Professor Schoeman outlines several specific mental health impacts linked to excessive screen use: Increased risk of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem Disrupted sleep, especially when screens are used before bedtime Declining academic performance due to concentration issues and reduced motivation Social withdrawal as digital interactions replace face-to-face connections Exposure to harmful content including cyber-bullying and messages promoting disordered eating Physical health also suffers, with screen-addicted children experiencing higher rates of obesity, headaches, eye strain, and poor posture. Finding balance in a digital world Despite these concerns, SASOP isn't advocating for complete digital abstinence. 'It's not about banning screens, it's about balance,' explains Prof. Schoeman. 'There's a big difference between a family movie night and hours of unmonitored scrolling or gaming. The key is to be mindful, involved and consistent.' Read more | Boys in Crisis | A look behind why boy children are 'left' behind in society For parents seeking guidance, Prof. Schoeman offers practical recommendations: Age-appropriate limits: no screens for children under 2 years; maximum 1 hour for ages 2-5; ideally no more than 2 hours daily for older children Prioritise offline activities, particularly outdoors, to support overall wellbeing Model responsible habits by taking breaks and switching off devices during meals and before bedtime Establish device-free zones and times, especially during family meals Take overnight custody of children's devices to ensure proper sleep 'Children don't need perfection from their parents, they need consistency,' Prof. Schoeman emphasises. 'Small, daily changes like putting your phone away at dinner sends a powerful message. And right now, our children need that message more than ever.' In a nation where digital devices have become extensions of ourselves, the most valuable gift we can offer the next generation might be teaching them when—and how—to disconnect.
News24
30-04-2025
- Health
- News24
Experts link teen vaping to depression and suicide risk
Living young, wild and free doesn't have to cost you your health. While often perceived as harmless because it is less dangerous than tobacco, the truth is that vaping is even more addictive, and its health implications are just as serious as those of cigarettes. Vaping is rising at an alarming rate among South African teenagers, putting them at risk of addiction and harm to their developing brains and mental health. In a survey conducted in 52 high schools across South Africa, 17.82% of the learners between grades 8 and 12 reported currently using vaping products with 47% vaping within the first hour of waking, suggesting high nicotine addiction. In addition to this 36.7% reported having tried vaping previously. Research shows that nicotine in vapes can severely impair the developing teenage brain, leading to cognitive difficulties, mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and increased risks of violence, substance use, and suicidal thoughts. According to a South African study, at least a quarter of South African Grade 12 learners admit to vaping regularly, both as a social activity and stress-coping mechanism, and usage filters down through all high school grades to primary school learners. While teenagers are well-attuned to the health and addiction risks of conventional cigarettes, the real risks of vaping are obscured by funky flavours and packaging, aggressively youth-targeted marketing and misconceptions about safety, warns member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP), Dr Nokuthula Mdaka. Read more | Missed your child maintenance? Here's how it will affect your credit access 'The brain is still developing up until the age of about 25. The adolescent brain is particularly susceptible to nicotine, which not only 'primes' the brain for addiction but also harms the areas of the brain involved in attention and learning, mood regulation and impulse control.' Dr Mdaka added that concerns about the rise and potential harm of vaping amongst teenagers extends to 'non-nicotine' vapes – as they are similarly habit-forming with potential to lead to other substance use, mental health issues, and they carry similar physical health risks from the chemical components over and above nicotine. The link between vaping and mental health is 'bi-directional.' Teens with mental health issues may use vaping to cope, which can worsen conditions like depression and anxiety. 'There is substantial published evidence that teenagers with existing depression or depressive symptoms are more likely to begin vaping, while the incidence of depression, considering suicide and suicide attempts are higher in teenagers that do vape, than in those who don't. 'That half of vape shops in South Africa are within a 5 km radius of a tertiary education institution campus comes as no surprise." 'The danger in the ready availability of vaping products is that young people are being exposed to the harmful effects of nicotine and showing signs of addiction at increasingly earlier ages." A further concern arises from a local study that found a link between vaping and poor nutrition in young people aged 18-34, with half of vape users consuming unhealthy foods, as well as having lower fruit and vegetable intake than non-smokers and non-vapers. The main factors were money spent on vapes rather than on healthy food, and perceptions that vaping could assist in weight loss. While vaping is promoted as a means to stop conventional cigarette smoking, Dr Mdaka said the evidence was unconvincing, and could lead to individuals smoking more as vaping appears to be more socially acceptable. She pointed to the 2022 South African E-Cigarette Survey, which found that one in five (19%) users with no previous smoking history started smoking conventional cigarettes only after using e-cigarettes, while only one in eight (13%) quit conventional smoking after taking up e-cigarettes. Read more | The key to success after school is starting preparations as early as Grade 9 According to the Tobacco Data Control Initiative, which led the survey, vapes, e-cigarettes and similar products pose health risks to both users and those exposed to the 'second-hand' aerosol emissions, whether they contain nicotine or are nicotine-free. The products have been shown to contain toxicants, carcinogens and flavouring chemicals which can affect the eyes, cause allergic reactions, contribute to fatigue and depression, and affect the respiratory, digestive and central nervous systems. While marketers of vaping products claim that the aerosol emitted is 'nothing more than water vapour', studies have shown that the particles delivered by vapes are similar to those of cigarettes, and that they reach deep into the lungs and cross into the circulatory system. Vaping products also contain more than 20 harmful and potentially harmful chemicals at significantly higher levels than in conventional cigarettes.
The Sun
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia commends AHA centre's prompt response to Myanmar earthquake
JAKARTA: Malaysia, as the Chair of ASEAN in 2025, has commended the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) for its prompt response in managing the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Myanmar late last month. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia also welcomes the activation of the response mechanism under the Standard Operating Procedures for Regional Standby Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Operations (SASOP), which facilitates the deployment of regional assets and humanitarian support. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs Malaysia's National Disaster Management Committee, said the prompt and effective coordination clearly demonstrates the AHA Centre's vital role in ASEAN's collective disaster response framework. 'The regional solidarity shown by all ASEAN member states through the deployment of search and rescue teams, humanitarian aid, and essential supplies clearly reflects the strong ASEAN spirit,' he said. He was speaking during his visit to the headquarters of Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the AHA Centre here on Monday. According to the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council, the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 claimed 3,726 lives, injured 5,105 people, and left 129 still unaccounted for as of April 18. The tremors were also felt in neighbouring countries including Thailand. Ahmad Zahid further emphasised the importance of upholding the 'One ASEAN, One Response' principle, saying it must go beyond rhetoric and be reflected in joint actions by ASEAN nations during times of disaster. Commenting on the visit, Ahmad Zahid expressed admiration for BNPB's preparedness, stating that Malaysia's National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) could learn much from its Indonesian counterpart in coordinating emergency response operations. 'While Malaysia has only one Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) to respond to all types of disasters, BNPB has SMART teams specialised in various areas such as fires, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and maritime accidents,' he noted. Ahmad Zahid is currently on a three-day official visit to Indonesia, which concludes tomorrow.
Barnama
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia Commends AHA Centre's Prompt Response To Myanmar Earthquake
GENERAL By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar JAKARTA, April 21 (Bernama) – Malaysia, as the Chair of ASEAN in 2025, has commended the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) for its prompt response in managing the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Myanmar late last month. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia also welcomes the activation of the response mechanism under the Standard Operating Procedures for Regional Standby Arrangements and Coordination of Joint Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Operations (SASOP), which facilitates the deployment of regional assets and humanitarian support. Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs Malaysia's National Disaster Management Committee, said the prompt and effective coordination clearly demonstrates the AHA Centre's vital role in ASEAN's collective disaster response framework. 'The regional solidarity shown by all ASEAN member states through the deployment of search and rescue teams, humanitarian aid, and essential supplies clearly reflects the strong ASEAN spirit,' he said. He was speaking during his visit to the headquarters of Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the AHA Centre here on Monday. According to the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council, the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28 claimed 3,726 lives, injured 5,105 people, and left 129 still unaccounted for as of April 18. The tremors were also felt in neighbouring countries including Thailand. Ahmad Zahid further emphasised the importance of upholding the 'One ASEAN, One Response' principle, saying it must go beyond rhetoric and be reflected in joint actions by ASEAN nations during times of disaster.
