According to our report this week, children in the region are spending more than four hours a day with technology like smartphones and tablet computers. It is easy to see why. Adults increasingly spend large amounts of time on smartphones and during the hot summer months, staying indoors with a tablet computer can seem like a nice option.
Technology does not, however, make us all happier. For many people, social media platforms make it too easy to compare themselves unfavourably to others. Local research shows exercise actually makes us happier by improving our self-esteem. The number one psychological benefit of regular exercise, to paraphrase one dietitian in Dubai, is improved self-esteem.
We know that technology is an inseparable part of our lives. With children spending more and more time in front of screens, it is critical that we offset the negative effects of tech with more exercise. When we strike the right balance, we will all be happier.
