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THE growing reliance on digital devices among adolescents is prompting renewed concern from experts, who warn that excessive screen time and unchecked online exposure may carry lasting consequences for mental health, behaviour and social development.
For many 16-year-olds, smartphones, tablets and laptops have become integral to daily life, serving not only as tools for communication but also as gateways to education, entertainment and social interaction.
With instant access to trending videos, real-time news and social media platforms, the digital world is effectively at their fingertips.
Yet specialists caution that this convenience masks deeper risks, particularly for those still undergoing critical stages of emotional and psychological development.
Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, Universiti Putra Malaysia consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist Rahima Dahlan Mohd Shafie told Berita Harian that individuals under 16 are especially vulnerable online due to their evolving sense of identity and emotional maturity.
“At this age, adolescents are in the process of understanding their identity and are highly influenced by peer acceptance.
“Social media becomes a space to gain recognition through likes and comments, which can make them more susceptible to social pressure, self-comparison and dependence on external validation.
“Although they may appear skilled in using applications or devices, they may not fully understand the implications of sharing personal information or interacting with individuals known only online,” she said.
She added that brain structures responsible for judgement, self-control and risk assessment continue developing into late adolescence, leaving younger users more prone to impulsive decisions and emotionally driven behaviour.
Beyond psychological vulnerability, prolonged screen time has also been linked to physical health concerns, including vision problems and poor posture, while exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying and online exploitation presents further dangers.
“These settings can help filter content, limit screen time and control accessible applications, serving as a first line of defence in protecting children online.
“However, these controls are merely technical tools and cannot replace the role of parents in providing guidance, education and continuous monitoring,” she said.
She stressed that active supervision and open communication between parents and children remain fundamental to digital safety, advocating a balanced approach over strict control.
“The recommended approach is guidance rather than absolute control. Parents can involve children in setting rules for gadget use so they feel a sense of responsibility.
“Monitoring should be done openly, not secretly, as that could undermine trust. At the same time, parents must ensure balance with other activities such as sports, social interaction and family time,” she said.
She also advised parents to remain alert to behavioural changes such as withdrawal, irritability, secrecy over device use or disrupted sleep patterns, which may signal deeper issues related to digital consumption.
Separately, homemaker Nur Auni Aniqah Mohamed Shariff said she introduced gadgets to her children as early as three or four years old, primarily for educational content and to occupy them while attending to household responsibilities.
“There are times I give them gadgets to keep them occupied, especially when I am busy with housework or important matters. But I try to limit it, not allow it all the time,” she said.
She acknowledged that parental controls are useful but insufficient on their own.
“Parental control does help, but it is not 100 per cent. We still need to monitor because children today learn quickly; sometimes they know more than we do. Teenagers, meanwhile, may become rebellious if reprimanded or restricted,” she said.
Her concerns reflect broader anxieties among parents over children being exposed to inappropriate material or communicating with strangers without supervision, risks that are increasingly difficult to manage in an interconnected digital environment.
Experts note that while technology cannot be avoided, its use must be carefully managed through shared responsibility among parents, schools, communities and digital platforms.
“In a digital world full of challenges, a close relationship between parents and children is the most effective protection. Control may restrict, but relationships guide,” said Dr Rahima.
Against this backdrop, proposals to restrict social media access for those under 16 are gaining traction as a preventive measure aimed at safeguarding emotional and mental development, while reducing exposure to harmful influences and cybercrime in an increasingly complex online landscape. - April 4, 2026
