{
  "id": 348415,
  "title": "Excessive screen time during summer puts children’s sleep, health at risk: Expert",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/excessive-screen-time-during-summer-puts-childrens-sleep-health-at",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T05:15:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Peninsula Qatar",
    "slug": "the-peninsula-qatar",
    "url": "https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/09/08/2026/excessive-screen-time-during-summer-puts-childrens-sleep-health-at-risk-expert"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Doha, Qatar has seen pediatric medicine expert Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi warn of the risks of excessive screen time during summer holidays. This can disrupt children’s sleep, concentration and emotional wellbeing by replacing physical activity, creative play and face-to-face interaction. Dr. Al Hammadi, Chair of Pediatric Medicine at Sidra Medicine, says the health impact extends beyond screen time itself - it's about the activities replaced. Children may experience eye strain, headaches and poor posture but more importantly, lose out on vital movement, creativity and social connection. Late-night screen use can suppress melatonin, making it harder for children to fall asleep. Poor sleep can lead to irritability, concentration difficulties and emotional struggles. Chronic sleep disruption during summer can affect memory, learning and resilience. Parents should watch for changes in behaviour and daily routines such as distress when a device is taken away or withdrawal from hobbies. Physical symptoms like headaches or tired eyes may also signal a need to reassess screen habits. Dr. Al Hammadi suggests considering the 5 C's of media use - Child, Content, Calm, Crowding Out and Communication - to establish healthier digital habits. The Child principle recognises individual responses to media, Content focuses on age-appropriate positive content, Calm principle encourages relaxation through other means, Crowding Out promotes restoring replaced activities, and Communication encourages open conversations about media use. Rather than rigid rules, these principles aim to guide families towards balance, stronger family connections and ensuring movement, play and human connection remain essential for healthy childhood development.",
  "summary": "<p>Doha, Qatar: Excessive screen use during the summer holidays can disrupt children’s sleep, concentration and emotional wellbeing while replacing physical activity, creative play and face-to-face interaction, a pediatric medicine expert at Sidra Medicine has warned.</p> <p>Chair of Pediatric Medicine at Sidra Medicine, Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi said the health impact of prolonged screen use extends…",
  "key_points": [
    "Pediatric expert Dr. Ahmed Al Hammadi warns of health impacts beyond screen time itself.",
    "Parents should monitor behavior changes and physical symptoms to reassess screen habits."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}