Hong Kong parents struggle with children’s gadget use amid rising tensions

A recent survey has revealed that many Hong Kong parents are struggling to manage their children’s use of electronic devices, leading to increasingly strained relationships. Nearly 30% of parents admitted to using insults and physical threats in attempts to control their children’s screen time.

Gadgets have become an integral part of our daily lives, influencing how we work, communicate, and even how our children grow and learn. From tablets and smartphones to gaming consoles and smartwatches, these devices have revolutionised childhood in ways that were unimaginable just a few decades ago. While the use of gadgets among children offers a range of benefits, it also poses significant challenges that parents, educators, and society must carefully navigate.

Despite these benefits, the use of gadgets among children is not without its downsides. One of the most pressing concerns is the potential for overuse, which can lead to a range of physical and mental health issues. Prolonged screen time has been linked to eye strain, headaches, and disrupted sleep patterns. Excessive use of gadgets can also contribute to sedentary lifestyles, increasing the risk of obesity and related health problems.

On the psychological front, too much screen time has shown to impact a child’s social and emotional development. Children who spend excessive time on gadgets may struggle with face-to-face communication, find it difficult to develop empathy, and become more prone to anxiety and depression. The immersive nature of video games and social media can also lead to addiction, where children find it hard to disengage from their devices, often at the expense of other important activities like homework, outdoor play, and family interactions.

Chinese Social workers have highlighted the increasing numbers of addiction in gadget use, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic. They cautioned that if children’s gadget use escalates into internet addiction, it can severely impact not only the children themselves but also the mental health and relationships of their family members.

The survey was conducted on 712 parents of students from Primary One to Form Six between last September and December. The results showed that 28.5% of parents acknowledged overreacting to their children’s screen time by resorting to verbal insults, physical threats, or unreasonable punishments.

35% of parents reported that their children’s use of electronic devices had intensified conflicts within the family, and half of the respondents scored poorly on mental health measures in the survey. More than half of the children spent up to two hours daily on their gadgets for leisure, while 18% used them for at least four hours, and 5.5% for six hours or more. The issue was particularly pronounced among parents of children in Primary Five and Six, with over half expressing doubts about their parenting abilities in managing their children’s screen time.

The study also showed that families with children in these final years of primary school are more prone to conflicts over gadget use, as parents often become increasingly anxious about their children’s academic performance when preparing for secondary school applications. Despite these challenges, only 6.5% of parents, about 46 respondents, had sought help for their children’s device use.

This indicated that parents either lacked awareness of the need for help, are unsure how to address the issue, or fear the consequences of seeking assistance. To tackle this, some parents are participating in support groups to acquire valuable skills for discussing electronic device use with their children in a respectful and open manner, which can help establish family-wide rules to prevent internet addiction.

In addition, China’s advancements in technology have played a significant role in the increasing presence of electronic devices in everyday life. The country’s rapid technological progress has led to the development of cutting-edge gadgets and digital platforms that are becoming ubiquitous worldwide. China’s focus on innovation in fields such as artificial intelligence, 5G connectivity, and consumer electronics has not only transformed its own digital landscape but also contributed to the global proliferation of technology. This further influences how digital devices are integrated into daily life, including in families across Hong Kong and beyond.

While gadgets offer undeniable benefits for children’s learning and development, they also pose significant risks if not used wisely. Striking the right balance between screen time and other activities, and ensuring that technology is used as a tool for growth rather than a crutch, is essential for raising well-rounded, healthy, and informed children in the digital age.

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