We're not asking you to confiscate phones — only to see the number clearly, then decide consciously.
How many hours, really?
Research on young people in Saudi Arabia recorded an average of about 7 hours daily on media screens — around 8 hours for females and 7 for males[1]. A study of Saudi children found most use phones 4–6 hours daily[2].
The effect on movement
The Arab Teens Lifestyle Study (ATLS) included about 2,800 Saudi adolescents and found girls more sedentary than boys (82% vs 70% using a three-hour screen threshold), rising to 91% for girls and 84% for boys using the standard two-hour cut-off[3].
among Saudi youth
(ATLS study)
study and family life
And what do young people themselves say?
More than half of young people in Saudi Arabia perceive screen time as negatively affecting their daily activities, sleep, studies and family life, with strong associations between screen time and feelings of depression[1]. Awareness of the problem exists — what's missing are the tools.
And don't miss the complete loop
Screens steal sleep, and short sleep raises obesity risk by 45–55% (the sleep article), and obesity affects a quarter of our students (school screening data). One chain, not separate problems.
Practical house rules
- Screens off an hour before bed — the highest-return rule.
- Meals without devices — for everyone, including you.
- Trade, don't ban: every hour of movement unlocks extra screen time — a child accepts the deal but rejects confiscation.
- A shared screen beats an individual one: a TV in the living room is easier to manage than a phone in a bedroom.