KUCHING: Excessive gadget use among parents and children is increasingly raising concerns over its long-term impact on mental health, early childhood development, and family relationships.
Deputy Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Rosey Yunus, recently stressed that while technology is unavoidable, parents must establish clear boundaries and prioritise family interaction.
Echoing these concerns, Early Childhood Education lecturer, Khairunnisa Asri, from the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG) Tun Abdul Razak Campus, said prolonged exposure to screens is reshaping how children think, interact and regulate emotions from an early age.
“In the long term, it can contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety, dependency and difficulty managing emotions,” she told Sarawak Tribune.
She explained that children who rely heavily on gadgets often have limited real-life interaction, which affects their social and communication development.
“Language development, for instance, depends on two-way interaction, not just passive listening or watching. When children spend too much time on screens, they miss out on these important exchanges,” she said.
Khairunnisa added that fast-paced digital content and overstimulation can also affect attention span, making it harder for children to focus in real-world learning environments.
“This ultimately affects their learning ability, as they become less engaged, less exploratory, and less capable of deep thinking,” she said.
Beyond individual development, she stressed that excessive screen time is gradually eroding communication within families.
“When each family member is focused on their own device, face-to-face interaction becomes less frequent and less meaningful. Over time, this weakens emotional bonds and reduces closeness,” she said.
She warned that families may end up “living together physically, but becoming emotionally distant” if gadget use is not properly managed.
Khairunnisa also highlighted early warning signs of unhealthy gadget use, including irritability, restlessness or strong reactions when devices are removed, sleep disturbances, and loss of interest in other activities such as play or family interaction.
“These are signs that usage has exceeded healthy limits and requires immediate attention,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Mental Health Association of Sarawak (MHAS) Kuching Branch, Dr Ng Boon Seng, said the effects of excessive gadget use often develop gradually, making them harder to detect early.
“When screen use begins to replace essential activities such as sleep, play and face-to-face interaction, it leads to significant changes in overall well-being over time,” he said.
He noted that children with high screen exposure are more likely to experience emotional and behavioural difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, irritability and low self-esteem.
“They may also face attention and learning problems, particularly when frequently switching between apps or games,” he added.
Dr Ng said younger children are especially vulnerable to delays in language and social development due to reduced opportunities for interaction and learning through real-world experiences.
For parents, he pointed out that constant connectivity can lead to chronic stress, burnout and disrupted sleep, particularly due to late-night device use.
“Being physically present but mentally absorbed in a device can feel like emotional absence to a child,” he said.
Dr Ng explained that in some cases, excessive gadget use may resemble behavioural addiction, driven by the brain’s reward system.
“Fast-paced apps, games and social media trigger dopamine, which can make everyday activities like reading or conversation feel less engaging over time,” he said.
He added that when screens become the primary way to cope with boredom or stress, children may struggle to regulate emotions without a device.
Both experts observed that gadget-dependent households often experience increased conflict, irritability and disrupted routines, including sleep problems that affect daily functioning.
“Families often realise only later that they hardly communicate without a screen in hand,” Dr. Ng said.
Despite these concerns, both stressed that gadgets are not inherently harmful, but must be used in a balanced and controlled manner.
Khairunnisa emphasised that parents play a crucial role, as children tend to imitate adult behaviour.
“If gadgets are constantly in parents’ hands, children will see it as normal and follow the same pattern,” she said.
She urged parents to model balanced usage, set clear and age-appropriate limits, and create gadget-free times such as during meals and before bedtime.
Dr Ng similarly recommended establishing consistent family rules, prioritising sleep, play and face-to-face interaction, and using gadgets together to encourage meaningful engagement rather than passive consumption.
“The goal is not to ban gadgets, but to ensure that family relationships, health and development remain the priority,” he said.
He added that reducing screen time should be done gradually, alongside providing alternatives such as physical activities, reading and family bonding.
Both experts agreed that addressing gadget overuse requires awareness, consistency and discipline at home, warning that without proper control, technology could undermine children’s development and the long-term well-being of families.
