From disintegrating social skills to aggressive tantrums and failing eyesight, gaming addiction in children is having a devastating impact on family dynamics.
Child development experts responded to a recent social media message by the Ministry of Health and Prevention, identifying warning signs of early gaming addiction and how parents can seek support.
Obsessing about games and losing interest in other activities were clear warning signs, as more young people have access to technology that ever.
Last year, the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) said more than 90 per cent of children older than two now play video games, with three quarters of US households owning a gaming console.
Despite these numbers, the long-term impact of tech addiction and gaming disorders in children is not yet fully understood.
The Unplugged Initiative is an Abu Dhabi-based educational organisation offering programmes to deal with screen addiction and promote digital wellness in under-eights.
Anisa Ismail, an early-years child development professional and founder of the campaign, said recent examples had exposed the effect gaming can have on young people.
“Sadly, the problems here are way higher than elsewhere in the world because the circumstances here are different,” Ms Ismail said.
“We have a higher number of expat families away from home countries, so a lot of children from those backgrounds have devices as a tool to connect with other children.
“Since Covid, the number of children with access to devices has increased.
“Parents and clients often have no idea how to introduce devices or set boundaries, so their children develop an unhealthy relationship. We create programmes to combat this.”
Gaming obsession
Twin brothers Zayed and Theyab, seven, have been given help by Unplugged after following their father’s passion for gaming and a strong connection with the Super Mario Brothers games developed for Nintendo consoles.
During the pandemic, screen time increased and has since proved a difficult habit to break.
After being given Roblox – a virtual world of dozens of user-generated games – to play during the winter break, the boys have become "gaming zombies" with few interests in the real world.
“They woke early in the morning and played until late evening, not wanting to do anything else,” Ms Ismail said.
“They had become Roblox zombies and it alarmed their parents, who immediately removed the game. It was as if once the games sunk into their world, they quickly took over.”
Mohamed, five, was another who became obsessed after being given an iPad to play on by an older brother and spending at least five hours a day consumed by the games at weekends.
“Any time anyone would try to take it away, he would break into a fit and become wildly aggressive,” said Ms Ismail.
“Bargaining was the only way anyone could get through to him. He hated going to school in the morning and would be running through the door straight to his gaming console the minute he walked back in the house.
“Nothing could come between him and his games. His parents were stressed and worried it was getting far too much.”
According to the AAP, children aged eight-17 spend a daily average of 1.5 to two hours playing video games.
While play is an essential component of healthy child development, taking it into a virtual world is having an adverse effect on social skills.
Time limits
Unplugged recommends children two and under should have no more than 15 minutes screen time a day because of their developing brains.
When they are three to five, it should be about 30 to 45 minutes a day, but only early in the morning.
Device-free rooms and allotted times for gaming are other methods used to help wean children off the screen in the hope of restoring family connections.
“The word 'addiction' used to be associated with substance abuse but now it includes other problematic behaviour, such as gaming and electronic addiction,” said Dr Simy Mathew, a specialist in paediatrics at Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai.
“Technology addiction is a behavioural problem caused by the excessive interaction of humans with machines.
“Some of the problems children face due to this media addiction – especially gaming – are psychological problems.
“They can cause mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, and also reduce self-confidence, life-satisfaction and emotional stability.”
It is not only social skills that suffer during an unhealthy relationship with gaming and technology.
Healthy eyesight is also at risk, particularly during the sensitive years of childhood and rapid growth.
Dr Julia Sempere Matarredona, an ophthalmologist at the Barraquer Eye Hospital in Dubai, warned screens have an addictive effect on children that is not recommended for healthy cognitive development.
“We should be increasingly aware screens can affect the visual health of our little ones and it is our obligation to proactively take care of their vision from childhood,” she said.
“Concern about excessive exposure to digital screens in childhood has been increasing, especially after the pandemic.
“Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum. Whereas sunlight is the biggest source of blue light, electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, computer monitors or LED TVs are a source of artificial blue light.
“The current concern is about long-term effects of screen exposure in children.”
Health guidelines involve resting the eyes every 20 minutes.
A simple "20-20-20 rule" is that for every 20 minutes spent near a screen, children should take a 20-second break and look 20 feet (more than 6 metres) into the distance, said Dr Matarredona.
"Screen exposure should be avoided altogether at least an hour before going to sleep,” she said.
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Asia Cup 2018 final
Who: India v Bangladesh
When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium
Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
DOB: 25/12/92
Marital status: Single
Education: Post-graduate diploma in UAE Diplomacy and External Affairs at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: I love fencing, I used to fence at the MK Fencing Academy but I want to start again. I also love reading and writing
Lifelong goal: My dream is to be a state minister
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
Haircare resolutions 2021
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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%3Cp%3ESixteen%20boys%20and%2015%20girls%20have%20gone%20on%20from%20Go-Pro%20Academy%20in%20Dubai%20to%20either%20professional%20contracts%20abroad%20or%20scholarships%20in%20the%20United%20States.%20Here%20are%20two%20of%20the%20most%20prominent.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGeorgia%20Gibson%20(Newcastle%20United)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20reason%20the%20academy%20in%20Dubai%20first%20set%20up%20a%20girls%E2%80%99%20programme%20was%20to%20help%20Gibson%20reach%20her%20potential.%20Now%20she%20plays%20professionally%20for%20Newcastle%20United%20in%20the%20UK.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMackenzie%20Hunt%20(Everton)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAttended%20DESS%20in%20Dubai%2C%20before%20heading%20to%20the%20UK%20to%20join%20Everton%20full%20time%20as%20a%20teenager.%20He%20was%20on%20the%20bench%20for%20the%20first%20team%20as%20recently%20as%20their%20fixture%20against%20Brighton%20on%20February%2024.%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
