A Parent’s Story About Screen Addiction and Why We Need Action Now

One evening, as I read The Emperor’s New Clothes to my children a story many of us know well  something struck me in a deep, unsettling way.In that story, everyone sees the uncomfortable truth: the emperor is naked. They all know it  but none of them say it out loud. Only one child speaks the obvious truth without fear, and suddenly everyone agrees.The Emperor is naked.

And that’s when it hit me.So many parents today feel exactly that way about screen and phone addiction. We sense something is wrong. We notice our children retreating into their devices eyes glazed, concentration slipping  but we hardly ever say it out loud.

We tell ourselves:

• It’s just a phase.

• Everyone is doing it.

• I’m not tech-savvy enough to manage this.

But the truth, like that emperor’s nakedness, is becoming painfully obvious:Screen addiction and excessive social media use is affecting our children’s brains, behaviour and development and it’s happening quietly, in homes everywhere.

In conversations with other parents, I’ve heard stories like:

• My child no longer wants to play outside  they’d rather scroll .

• Mine pretends to be asleep, but secretly watches TikTok challenges all night.

• They can’t sit through dinner without checking the screen.

These stories aren’t isolated they’re reflections of a larger pattern. Many parents feel ashamed or alone, afraid to admit the truth. But it is real. And it’s harming our childrenGovernments and organisations around the world have begun to recognise that unregulated social media exposure carries real risks, especially for young people’s mental health and developmental well-being.

Australia has taken some of the most significant regulatory steps in the world by amending its Online Safety laws: From 10 December 2025, social media platforms are legally required to prevent children under 16 from having social media accounts.

These rules mean:

• Platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and others must take steps to ensure under-16s don’t have accounts.

Australia’s reasoning is clear: delaying access to social media gives children extra time to develop skills in focus, resilience and digital literacy before being exposed to addictive algorithms and highly engaging content.This is not just about removing access  it’s about giving families breathing room to establish healthy habits and understand the online world safely.

At the United Nations, world leaders have also acknowledged the complex risks of digital spaces, especially for children. In speeches about Protecting Children in the Digital Age, ministers and policymakers emphasise:

• The internet is a powerful tool —   but it also exposes youth to risks without boundaries.

• Safeguards and literacy must come before harm takes root in developing brains.

While global frameworks (UN Guidelines on Digital Safety) call for balanced approaches involving education, parental support, and platform accountability only a handful of countries have translated these into binding laws.

Across Africa, governments and regional bodies are beginning to focus on harmful digital content and youth protection  but much work remains.

In Kenya:

• UNESCO partnered with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to launch a coalition addressing harmful digital content on platforms.

• Kenya’s Film Classification Board (KFCB) also launched a Parents’ Digital Literacy Programme (PaDiL) to help caregivers understand online risks and guide children responsibly.These initiatives are good starts. But compared to Australia’s binding age-restriction laws, Kenya and many African countries still rely largely on awareness and voluntary compliance by platform.

Long hours on screens and addictive social media use have been associated with:

• Reduced attention span (difficulty focusing on reading, homework and tasks)
• Mental fatigue and overstimulatio
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Lower creativity because the brain is constantly reacting, not creating
• Increased anxiety and stress levels

Research in South Africa, for example, found that uncontrolled screen use in children was linked with poor sleep, reduced face-to-face interactions, and lower academic performance  while physical harms like headaches and eye strain were also noted.

This aligns with what many parents already feel in their homes.

Signs of Screen Dependency to Watch For

If your child shows any of these behaviours, they may be leaning into dependency rather than healthy use:

• Constant need to check phone
• Irritation or anger when screen access is limited
•  Avoidance of outdoor play or hobbies they previously enjoyed
•  Lying about bedtime usage
•  Trouble focusing on schoolwork or books
•  Mood changes when offline

These are not just “kids being kids”  they can be signs of a behavioural pattern driven by technology design, not innate willpower alone.

1. Governments Must Regulate Carefully

Countries like Australia have shown that legislation can shift responsibility from parents alone to platforms that design addictive systems.
Kenya and other African nations need to consider laws with realistic age limits, digital safety standards, and enforcement measures.

2. Digital Literacy for Families

Schools and community organisations must embed digital wellbeing skills  understanding how algorithms work, how to resist harmful content, how to manage time online.

3. Parental Involvement Is Key

Parents don’t need to be tech experts, but they do need clarity and support:

• Set screen time limits

• Encourage device-free mealtimes and nights

• Be involved in what your child watches

• Understand why escaping to a phone feels so compelling

4. Children Need Alternatives

Sports, reading, creative hobbies, and social interaction fortify the brain in ways passive scrolling never can.

Like the child in the emperor’s story, saying the truth out loud can feel vulnerable  but it frees others to do the same.

So here’s the truth for Kenyan parents, African families, and caregivers worldwide:

You are not alone.
Your worry is not irrational.
Your child’s struggles are real  and they deserve real solutions.

At RADASEC, we stand with families navigating this digital age. We help you keep up not by avoiding technology entirely, but by understanding it, controlling it, and making it work for your child’s future.

Let’s say it out loud:

Screen addiction is real.
It affects minds, behaviour and development.
It’s time for parents, governments and digital platforms to act.