'Don’t Look Down' serves as a wake-up call for society, urging collective efforts to tackle smartphone addiction and foster a healthier, more mindful relationship with technology among the next generation.
Don’t Look Down, a nine-hour film created in partnership with Fixby, is now screening exclusively at Roxy Cinemas, addressing the urgent issue of smartphone addiction among children and teenagers in the UAE. The film immerses audiences in a scrolling-like experience, mirroring the average daily screen time of nine hours and 18 minutes reported among youth. This deliberate approach forces viewers to confront the growing risks of excessive device use.
The film sheds light on the mental health consequences of overuse, including aggression, ADHD, depression, emotional numbness, social anxiety and loneliness. It calls on parents, educators and the wider community to take immediate action to combat this growing crisis.
Recent studies highlight the alarming trends: 80% of UAE students are online for over seven hours daily, with 84% of them glued to smartphones. Moreover, 28% of Emirati youth exhibit signs of smartphone addiction, which has been linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression and poor sleep quality. Internal data from platforms like TikTok reveals that 95% of users under 17 are active on the app, often at the expense of real-world interactions and adequate rest.
Fixby, a UAE-based organisation, is tackling this issue head-on by promoting awareness and introducing practical solutions such as lockable phone pouches for schools. These measures aim to curb device overuse and foster healthier habits among students.
Daniel Herbert, Managing Director of Fixby, said: “Our mission is simple: to help families and schools create environments where children can thrive without the constant pull of their devices. We want to empower parents and educators with tools like our Fixby phone pouches, which are designed to encourage healthy habits. This film is a wake-up call, and we hope it inspires real change in how we handle technology use among young people.”
A survey by Dr Alison Burrows, a professor and screen-time expert, revealed that 65% of parents believe their children spend excessive time on screens, with YouTube and Snapchat identified as the most-used apps. Additionally, 71% of parents support banning devices in schools, and 86% express concern about technology’s impact on their children’s well-being.
Dr Alison added: “It’s crucial for parents to understand the full impact excessive smartphone use can have on their children’s mental health, social development, and academic performance. Constant exposure to screens weakens emotional connections, disrupts sleep, and makes it harder for children to focus. Working together, we can help them lead happier, healthier lives, without being controlled by their devices.”
Fixby advocates delaying social media access until the age of 16 and discourages the use of personal devices in classrooms, suggesting that schools provide tablets and educational tools instead.
Following the screening, a panel discussion featured experts, including Dr Burrows, Fixby representatives and education leaders, who shared actionable strategies to address smartphone addiction and promote healthier digital engagement among youth. Panellists included Natalie Herbert from Hartland International School, Mark Samways of The Free Spirit Collective and Nigel Davis of The British School Al Khubairat.
