Abu Dhabi kids get first device at 3 years old, study finds

Children in Abu Dhabi are getting their first digital devices at an average age of 3 years and 4 months, with tablets being the most commonly used gadget, followed by smartphones, a new survey has revealed.

This finding comes from the Digital Use Survey by New York University Abu Dhabi, conducted in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), which collected insights from over 10,000 parents about the digital media habits of children aged 0 to 8.

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Notably, 70 per cent of parents expressed satisfaction with their children's screen time, highlighting a general acceptance of digital media use among young children in the emirate.

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The study is part of ECA’s broader efforts under its World Early Childhood Development (WED) Movement, which aims to highlight the digital wellbeing of young children.

'Positive force in children’s lives'

Dr Yousef Al Hammadi, executive director of Knowledge and Innovation at ECA, said digital media, when used responsibly, can benefit children in many ways. “Children born today are digital natives and will continue to benefit from incredible advances in technology as they grow up.

"By engaging with digital media in the right way they can enjoy its capability to support learning, language development, and social skills. And because of this, most parents see technology as a positive force in their children’s lives.”

He stressed, however, that screen time should be balanced with physical activity such as exercise, offline play, interaction with family and friends, and proper rest. Parents, he noted, should ideally be involved in their children’s tech use to help guide and moderate it.

Creating the right framework

Al Hammadi further stressed the need for supportive frameworks. “If we want children to develop healthy digital habits, we must first create the right framework to support responsible use of technology in early childhood... We can develop the research to inform policies and strategies that put the wellbeing of our young citizens first — so they can grow up in a world that embraces the myriads of opportunities offered by technology.”

The survey also revealed that 86 per cent of young children in the UAE engage with digital media regularly, with usage rising to 97 per cent among those aged 5 to 8.

When it comes to identifying suitable content, Sangita Chima, lead learner and co-founder of PedTech Global, advised parents to be mindful and engaged.

“Firstly, there has to be a strong trust factor between parents and children, through conscientious engagement. Parents must be aware of the learning environment that includes digital learning specifically.

"Not all learning is digital as many teenagers claim... Installation of Apple Screen Time, Microsoft Family Safety, and other monitoring tools such as Aura Parental Control is a good control measure," she noted.

Experts also pointed out that children often mimic adult behaviour, making it essential for parents to model healthy habits.

Dubai-based life coach Girish Hemnani stressed the need to encourage physical play and real-world interaction. “Replacing screen time with physical activity and interactive play is essential for holistic development and emotional wellbeing,” he said. "By encouraging these changes, we can foster healthier, happier children who are better equipped to navigate the world around them.'

Nandini Sircar

Nandini Sircar has a penchant for education, space, and women's narratives. She views the world thro...Read More

nandini@khaleejtimes.com