Earlier this month, King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture - Ithra published a global report on digital well-being. Based on a survey of 15,000 adults from across 30 nations, the Saudi-led initiative is one of the most extensive studies of its kind to date and aims to explore the state of our relationships to the internet, smartphones, social media and gaming. The survey findings add to a growing global concern about the impact of such everyday digital technologies on our physical, psychological and social well-being.
However, the Ithra report is far from a catalogue of doom, gloom and technophobia. Instead, it is a candid and constructive look at both the pros and cons of our current relationship with technology. For example, most respondents – 88 per cent – endorsed the idea that digital technologies were a force for global good. Even social media, which has come in for much criticism in recent years, was widely viewed (69 per cent) as improving quality of life.
These favourable findings align with the Health Behaviour in School-age Children Survey (HBSC), a large collaborative cross-national study led by the World Health Organisation. Analysis of the 2018 HBSC data, collected from over 155 thousand adolescents across Europe, found a positive relationship between frequent use of social media and emotional well-being. This was especially true in those nations where regular social media use had become the norm. In short, being on social media when everybody else is, seems to be associated with better emotional well-being.
Not all the indicators on the Ithra survey were positive, though. It included measures designed to assess behavioural addiction symptoms: persistence (using tech for longer than intended), displacement (tech time eating into other activities) and deception. For example, 31 per cent said they had misled people, including friends or family, about the amount of time they spent online. Similarly, 48 per cent of respondents reported spending "more time online than they would like to". Around 40 per cent said technology interfered with their ability to focus on day-to-day tasks and workplace duties. Such concerns are echoed on Google's digital well-being site, where the tech giant suggests: "...technology should improve life, not distract from it".
To be on the safe side, we should presume harmful effects of technology on children
Further exploring digital habits, the Ithra survey asked about time spent on social media. Over a quarter (28 per cent) of participants reported using social media for more than four hours each day. But how long is too long? Some of us have lots of leisure time, and many of us increasingly use social media as an occupational tool. Furthermore, several recent research studies have differentiated between active (interacting, commenting, posting) and passive (aimless, non-interactive scrolling) social media use. Unsurprisingly, passive use is associated with poorer well-being. As a result, questions about how long we spend on social media are becoming meaningless. The more thoughtful question is about what we do when we get there: empty click and scroll or active, meaningful engagement.
As with social media, questions about gaming also revealed that some people are struggling to strike a healthy balance. For example, over half (51 per cent) of respondents – those who gamed online – reported playing for longer than they intended (persistence). Additionally, around a third (29 per cent) of gamers reported experiencing negative emotions when they stopped playing (withdrawal). Furthermore, among those gamers who had attempted to take a prolonged break from gaming (detox), only 29 per cent lasted longer than a week (relapse).
Beyond the individual, the Ithra survey also asked questions about children and technology use. The responses reveal a deep ambivalence among some groups. For example, while many (44 per cent) parents allowed their children unsupervised access to the internet, most (89 per cent) also attempted to limit screen time, aiming to keep it below 2 hours a day.
Again, we can see a tension here: a struggle between balancing access to benefits and preventing potential harms. A recent study reported by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority suggests that achieving such a balance is a growing concern. Their study, undertaken in 2021, found that the average screen time of children (0-8 years old) in Abu Dhabi increased from two to three hours a day. The World Health Organisation recommends only an hour a day.
Concerns about children's technology use are well-founded. This is because the full impacts of virtual reality, electronic games and social media on developing minds are poorly understood. The Centre for Humane Technology, an NGO dedicated to radically reimagining the digital world, advocates that, to be on the safe side, we should "presume harm". If we are unsure about the adverse affects for a child's cognitive, social, and emotional development, we would be wise to limit use.
Ithra's global report on digital well-being represents a valuable starting point for an international and more systematic approach to emerging issues and opportunities in our online world. The survey looks set to become an annual event, allowing us to undertake international benchmarking and monitor progress over time.
There is no doubt that digital technologies power progress. However, managing our relationship with such technologies is central to sustainable success.
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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The specs: 2018 Ford Mustang GT
Price, base / as tested: Dh204,750 / Dh241,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Gearbox: 10-speed automatic
Power: 460hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque: 569Nm @ 4,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.3L / 100km
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The five pillars of Islam
The years Ramadan fell in May
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Company profile
Name: Tratok Portal
Founded: 2017
Based: UAE
Sector: Travel & tourism
Size: 36 employees
Funding: Privately funded
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
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