'Effect of screentime on families and relationships is hair-raising' - neuro-integrative health coach

Clement Manyathela speaks to Dr Marlena Kruger, a digital well-being and neuro-integrative health coach.

Listen below.

Adults and kids are easily addicted to their screens and the internet.

It's bad for your eyes and, far more worrying, your mental well-being.

“There is a specific expectation that you will spend a number of hours already in front of a screen [at work or school]. Over and above that obligation, that’s where our challenges are.”

- Dr Marlena Kruger, Health coach

“There are so many things that are on the back burner when we are in front of a screen… that is not conducive for a well-balanced environment.”

- Dr Marlena Kruger, Health coach

If screen addictions go unmanaged, it can negatively impact the relationships you keep without you even realising it.

“If you think about what is happening in our families, with our relationships, that is hair-raising. It’s not good for anything, not our children or our adults.”

- Dr Marlena Kruger, Health coach

“Without that [human connection], the hugs, the contact, meaningful conversations, we are missing out… [tech] can’t replace this.”

- Dr Marlena Kruger, Health coach

Kruger encourages open, honest conversations about your screen time with friends, family or, in severe cases, a professional.

Admit you have a problem and devise a plan to gradually wean off your device outside of your obligatory hours. 

Simple rules like no screens at the dinner table or in the bedroom are a starting point.

“Start critically and list those small things. Discuss it with the people in your environment so that we can really become more mindful of the precious time that we have. It’s not a lot on a daily basis… there are so many hours in a day but we spend it being addicted to our screens and the internet.” 

- Dr Marlena Kruger, Health coach