MOBILE phones have become a regular part of school life, social interaction and even learning, says information technology professional Mohammed Nafeez.
Mr Nafeez told this newspaper yesterday that teachers are increasingly using platforms such as WhatsApp, Viber and Facebook messenger to send notices and updates to parents.
“Homework sometimes require internet access,” he said.
“Parents working long hours rely on phones to stay in touch with their children, so banning technology completely is not realistic.
“But the real issue is not the phone itself — it’s how long, how often and what children are doing on it.”
Mr Nafeez said parents across Fiji are voicing similar concerns, including children staying up late, watching inappropriate content, copying bad language and behaviour seen online, losing interest in sports and outdoor play, and becoming angry or withdrawn when devices are taken away.
“Some parents admit they avoid arguments by giving in.
“Others feel guilty because phones keep children quiet while they manage work, household chores or younger siblings.
“Parenting today is not easy, especially when screens never get tired.”
He said health experts warn that excessive screen time could affect sleep patterns, eyesight, posture, mental health and social skills.
Mr Nafeez said children who spend long hours on screens are more likely to experience poor sleep, reduced physical activity and difficulty managing emotions.
“In Fiji, where childhood obesity and lifestyle diseases are already a concern, reduced physical play only adds to the problem.”
He stressed that the issue is not about banning technology, but about teaching healthy habits.
“Screens are here to stay, but they should support family life — not replace it.
“So, if screen-time arguments are happening in your home, know this: you are not failing.
“Parents everywhere are navigating the same struggle quietly, imperfectly and often exhausted.
“What matters is not being perfect but being consistent.
“Because at the end of the day, the strongest connections in any Fijian home are not WiFi connections — they are the ones sitting right next to us.”
Screens reshape homes
IN many Fijian households today, screens have slowly begun replacing traditional family time, according to information technology professional Mohammed Nafeez.
Speaking to this newspaper yesterday, Mr Nafeez said parents across the country — from urban centres to village homes — are quietly facing the same daily struggle: balancing screen time with real-life interaction.
“Phones, tablets and TVs are no longer just devices; they’ve become extra family members — and very noisy ones,” he said.
“In the morning, it’s YouTube cartoons while uniforms are being put on. After school, it’s gaming or TikTok.
“At night, it’s the ‘last video before sleep’ that somehow runs until midnight.
“And let’s be honest — after a long day of work, traffic, homework, cooking and chores, handing over a phone sometimes feels like the only way to keep the peace. But deep down, many parents know something is off.”
Mr Nafeez said family dinner conversations are becoming noticeably shorter.
“Some families sit at the same table, each person on a different screen. Homework is rushed — not to finish learning, but to finish faster.
“Even adults are guilty of scrolling Facebook while telling children to ‘go outside and play’. The hypocrisy is real, and the kids know it.”
He noted that global studies show children now spend between four and seven hours a day on screens, depending on age.
“In Fiji, while official national figures are limited, teachers and parents consistently report the same pattern — children are sleeping late, playing less outdoors, and struggling to concentrate in class.”
Mr Nafeez said some schools had raised concerns about students arriving tired, irritable, or already glued to their phones before the first bell.
“And this is not just a ‘city problem’.
“Villages, settlements and rural areas are seeing the same thing.
“Where children once played rugby, soccer, netball or marbles until sunset, many now sit under the mango tree scrolling through videos instead.”
