Disconnect to Reconnect: Tackling Screen Addiction in Kenya

The Growing Challenge of Screen Addiction Among Students

As a Gen Z teacher in Kenya, I have had a front-row seat to the effects of excessive screen time on students’ behavior and learning. While technology is incredibly useful, it is also presenting serious challenges. From reduced attention spans to a growing reliance on digital devices for even the simplest tasks, the impact of technology on students is undeniable.

The Digital Shift in Kenya’s Education Landscape

Kenya’s technology landscape has evolved rapidly, with the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets reaching every corner of the nation. Digital tools that were once a luxury are now commonplace, with their influence extending from major cities like Nairobi to even the most remote rural villages as modernization sweeps across the country. While this connectivity has brought numerous advantages, it has also led to unintended consequences—overuse of screens. This over-reliance on digital devices has negatively impacted students’ mental health, focus, and social skills.

What is particularly concerning is how students, who should be engaging in group discussions, are instead glued to their phones, unable to disconnect long enough to participate in meaningful conversations. Technology, while enabling us to connect across vast distances, is simultaneously creating distance in the real world. As cultures change and connections become more virtual, the basic tenets of society and kinship ties face an increasing threat.

The Consequences of Overuse

A few years ago, before screens took over, Kenyan children’s lives were filled with outdoor adventures and hands-on creativity. After school, kids would rush outside to play games like bladaa (hopscotch), kati (dodgeball), or shake (a form of tag). In rural areas, boys herded livestock while crafting toy cars from wires, mud and girls made dolls from old fabric.

Evenings were for storytelling, where grandparents shared folklore by the fireside, teaching values and history through tales of Hare and Hyena. Homework was done by candlelight or kerosene lamps, and weekends meant visiting cousins, climbing trees for guavas, or racing old bicycle tires down dirt paths.

Today, many of these simple joys have been replaced by hours on YouTube, Pornography, video games, and TikTok, making nostalgic memories of a life once full of movement, laughter, and real-world connections.

That is when memories were created and captured in the heart, less like today when it is consumed through endless scrolling into a bottomless feed.

As a teacher, I have seen firsthand how constant exposure to screens has affected my students. Many become easily fatigued, disengaged, and some even show symptoms of anxiety or stress, issues that were less common just a few years ago. Over-dependence on technology has also fostered a culture of comparison among students, especially through social media, which undermines their self-esteem and mental well-being.

One of the most concerning trends is the difficulty many students have with concentrating during lessons or completing even simple tasks. This directly affects their academic progress, making it crucial for us to address the balance between screen time and physical, face-to-face activities.

The Role of Digital Health and Education Networks (DHEN-K)

Fortunately, organizations like the Digital Health and Education Network-Kenya (DHEN-K) have enabled me to recognize the growing challenge of excessive screen time among children and the impact of addictive technology. DHEN-K is taking significant steps to raise awareness about the dangers of overuse and promoting intentional use and adaption of technology, including organizing “unplug events” that encourage children and families to disconnect from screens and engage in physical, social activities. These events help restore a sense of balance, and I have seen how my students return to school more engaged and creative after spending time away from their devices.

In addition, DHEN-K focuses on creating educational materials and running awareness campaigns aimed at both parents and students. The goal is to promote a healthy balance between screen time and activities that foster creativity, mental health, and real-world connections.

Also, Cris Rowan, a prominent occupational therapist and child development expert, is dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of technology on children’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Through her platforms, CrisRowan.com and ReconnectWebinars.com, she provides valuable insights and resources on managing screen time, fostering healthy development, and encouraging real-world engagement. Additionally, her collaboration with DHEN-K through specialized webinars supports families, educators, and communities in navigating the digital landscape responsibly. By equipping individuals with practical strategies and research-backed solutions, Rowan plays a crucial role in promoting a balanced and mindful approach to digital consumption.

A Vision for the Future: Balancing Technology and Human Connection

The long-term objectives of DHEN-K align perfectly with the future I envision for Kenya—a society where people-driven institutions empower communities to thrive. DHEN-K is working toward establishing a training and research center that will not only address the digital challenges we face but also document best practices for promoting digital well-being. Their commitment to community-driven solutions—collaborating with educators, parents, policymakers, and healthcare providers are key to ensuring that technology serves the community’s needs, not the other way around.

As a teacher, I believe that creating a generation that is both tech-savvy and capable of disconnecting from screens when necessary is vital for the well-being of our students and society. Changing the power dynamics by handing it over to the people not Apps and gadgets we believe is the way to a safer, healthier childhood.

Moving Forward: A Holistic Approach to Digital Well-Being

Efforts to promote digital literacy and online learning are a step in the right direction, but they must be complemented by a broader approach that prioritizes digital well-being. As a society, it is essential to ensure that technology strengthens human connections rather than replacing them. Initiatives like DHEN-K play a crucial role in fostering a balanced relationship with screens, equipping young people and families with the skills to navigate the digital world responsibly.

By cultivating environments where children can develop both digital proficiency and emotional resilience, we can address the challenges of excessive screen use and early digital exposure.
Building socially aware and supportive communities will help future generations develop the ability, agency, and tools needed to balance digital engagement with meaningful real-world interactions, ultimately sustaining a more connected and mindful society.

A Collective Effort for a Balanced Future

Addressing screen addiction is not a task that can be tackled by one person or group alone. It is a collective effort that requires the involvement of educators, parents, policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities. Together, we can create a society where technology disrupts less and human connection thrives more.

The fight against excessive screen time is interconnected with various aspects of our lives, and this is why building a “village”—a responsive, creative, and innovative community is essential.

Together, we have the power to guide future generations toward a healthier balance with technology, one that fosters personal growth, meaningful relationships, and emotional well- being.

Let’s embrace the opportunity to build a sustainable future, where technology enhances our lives without overpowering them. With your involvement, and mine, we can make this vision a reality. It’s time to join forces for a balanced and healthy future. Yes, we can make it happen.