Parents, schools, and communities must also play a role in helping children develop healthy digital habits.
As the UAE moves to restrict social media access for children under 15, mental health professionals say they are seeing young people whose online habits are affecting their sleep, studies, confidence, and overall wellbeing.
On June 18, a new resolution was issued banning those under the age of 15 from creating or using personal social media accounts or accessing their full features. The decision was welcomed by UAE doctors, who highlighted the risks of social media addiction, particularly among children.
From children staying awake until the early hours of the morning to those spending hours scrolling without eating or taking breaks, doctors and counsellors say excessive social media use is becoming an increasing concern among adolescents.
Dr Shahana Kasim, Specialist Psychiatry at NMC Specialty Hospital in Abu Dhabi, said she has counselled children whose social media use has become so excessive that it began interfering with daily life.
“In more severe cases, social media begins to interfere with sleep, school performance, family relationships, hobbies and face-to-face friendships,” she said.
“I have seen instances where children became so addicted to social media that they spent five to six hours mindlessly scrolling, neglecting basic needs such as sleeping, eating or even using the washroom.” She added that some children become irritable, anxious or distressed when access to social media is restricted.
When a child stays awake until 2am
Doctors say the impact often extends far beyond screen time. Dr Diya Abdul Rasheed, Specialist Paediatrician at Medeor Hospital Dubai, recalled the case of a 13-year-old boy brought to her clinic after parents noticed changes in his behaviour and academic performance.
The teenager had become anxious, struggled to concentrate, and was regularly sleeping in class. His grades, previously strong, had begun to decline. Initial medical tests were carried out to rule out deficiencies, but results came back normal.
“A closer look at his daily routine revealed the real issue,” said Dr Diya. “Although the parents believed he was going to bed around 9pm, he was using the phone secretly after going to his room.”
Without his parents’ knowledge, he would stay online late into the night, sometimes until around 2am. The lack of sleep eventually affected his concentration, confidence and mental health.
After counselling sessions involving both the teenager and his parents, his sleep pattern improved and his condition began to recover.
“This case shows that the problem is not only social media addiction, but also the aftereffects of that addiction,” she said. “It affects sleep, concentration, confidence, mental health and overall wellbeing.”
When likes become self-worth
Experts say another growing concern is the tendency among young people to tie self-esteem to online engagement.
Dr Amir Javaid, Director of Psychiatry and Intellectual Disorders and Consultant Psychiatrist at Burjeel Medical City, said fluctuations in engagement can significantly impact emotional wellbeing.
“Fluctuations in likes, comments or follower counts can affect mood, confidence and self-esteem, particularly in those who are already emotionally vulnerable,” he said.
Dr Shahana has observed similar patterns. “Some children begin to link their self-worth to online feedback,” she said. “Their mood may improve when posts receive positive attention and decline when engagement is lower than expected.”
Anxiety, exclusion and online pressure
Counsellors also report rising anxiety linked to online interactions and peer pressure. Carolyn Yaffe, Counsellor and Cognitive Behaviour Therapist at Medcare Camali Clinic, said many children feel compelled to stay constantly connected as much of their social life now exists online.
“Many children and teenagers often feel left out if they aren’t part of group chats or following the latest trends on popular platforms,” she said. “This can sometimes make them feel excluded or even bullied, since group plans and inside jokes usually happen online.”
She recalled supporting a teenager who developed severe anxiety after private information and photos were shared without consent, leading to online humiliation, social exclusion, and eventually school avoidance.
“This really highlights how what happens online can have serious, lasting effects on mental health in the real world,” she said.
“A false life that is not really true”
Pratibha Tiwari, Emotional Intelligence Coach and Youth Leadership Development Expert, said many young people struggle to separate online perception from reality.
“Many young people start believing in a false life which is not really true,” she said. “Having the latest iPhone, following current trends and doing what is considered cool becomes very important for them.”
She added that this focus can distract from key developmental years. “What concerns me is that this becomes a sheer distraction during a very important time of their life when they should be focusing on building skills, exploring career options and developing themselves,” she said.
More than just restrictions
While experts support regulatory measures aimed at protecting younger users, they stress that restrictions alone are not enough. Parents, schools, and communities must also help children develop healthy digital habits, understand online risks, and build confidence beyond social media.
Dr Shahana said the objective should not be to eliminate technology from children’s lives.
“The goal should not be simply limiting technology, but helping young people develop a healthy and balanced relationship with it,” she said.
