We’re constantly inundated with an endless stream of media and information, making content consumption not just a habit but an integral part of our lives—shaping how we think, feel, and connect with the world around us. 

A Global Digital Report released earlier this year highlights that UAE residents spend an average of eight hours daily online. Breaking it down, three hours are consumed by social media and three over streaming services. 

MINDLESS CONTENT CONSUMPTION 

From browsing the news to scrolling through social media or watching videos, we often consume and engage with content without realizing it.

“We live in a digital age where content is not just readily available but actively pushed towards us through notifications, algorithms, and personalized feeds,” says Devika Mankani, chief psychologist at Fortes Education, a Dubai-based group of schools.

“Algorithms are designed to keep us engaged by showing more of what we like, which can lead to mindless scrolling and binge-watching. This has created a culture of continuous consumption, making it harder to disconnect.”

In her practice, she sees students who spend hours on Instagram and TikTok, feel pressured to keep up with peers, and constantly compare themselves to the lives portrayed online.

While young people are particularly vulnerable to the impact of social media and technology, its broader impact on mental well-being—particularly in emotional regulation, attention spans, and social connectivity—can not be overlooked.

Alexandre Machado, a clinical neuropsychologist at Medcare Medical Centre, Dubai, has extensively studied how phone addiction affects individuals neurologically and psychologically. “When we [consume content] excessively, our brains are flooded with dopamine and norepinephrine, which provides feelings of pleasure and stimulation,” he says. 

It starts with stimuli, like notifications or eye-catching posts. As we scroll from one post to another, our focus becomes fragmented, making it harder to concentrate and process information effectively. This constant cycle or jump from one notification to another can disrupt our thinking ability. 

“We often experience emotional dysregulation, where the constant influx of notifications and content can provoke feelings of anxiety and stress, making it challenging to manage emotions healthily,” Machado says.

He adds that this cognitive overload results in fatigue, confusion, and difficulties in decision-making. Furthermore, constant exposure to negative news or harmful content leads to increased anxiety, depression, and helplessness. Much research also links loneliness and isolation to excessive social media usage.

Bushra Khan, a psychotherapy counselor at Dubai-based Wellth, also shares some examples of behaviors influenced by the impact of social media and phone addiction that she observes in her practice. “I’ve seen this play out in many forms – whether it’s anxiety, disrupted sleep, or difficulty focusing on daily tasks,” she says. “Many people describe feeling trapped in a cycle, and often realize that it’s affecting their relationships and work, yet they struggle to break free.”

She cites the example of a patient who felt a compulsive need to check their social media accounts every few minutes

“When they tried to cut back, they were experiencing withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and irritability,” Khan says.“This constant connection to their phones affected their sleep, productivity, and sense of self-worth and mood.”  

BEING INTENTIONAL

While consuming content itself isn’t necessarily harmful, being selective and mindful about the type and amount of content you engage with is vital. 

“It’s not just about avoiding negative content,” Khan says. “It’s about protecting our time and mental energy, allowing space for things that truly matter – spending time with loved ones, being productive, or simply resting.”

Setting boundaries on content consumption and choosing content that feeds your hobbies, passions, or curiosity can empower your life and well-being.

Mankani adds that intentional consumption requires us to ask ourselves questions like: Is this adding value to my life? Or how does this content make me feel?

For young people, Mankani states that intentional consumption can support better self-esteem by helping them focus on content that adds value to their lives, whether educational, inspirational, or relaxing. 

“Moreover, young people’s brains are still developing. It’s important to develop mindful habits around consumption so that they can enjoy the benefits of technology while protecting their mental health,” she says.

HOW TO BE INTENTIONAL

The experts share that it comes down to self-awareness. 

“Taking the time to track how much screen time you engage in, reflecting on how certain content makes you feel, and regularly assessing your media habits can help build a healthy relationship with technology,” Khan says. “It’s all about making small changes that can improve your mental and physical well-being.”

We asked the experts to share their tips on being intentional about content consumption.

For media professionals who spend a lot of their time chasing the news cycle and keeping abreast of critical news development, Machado says it’s important to implement limits on screen time to avoid burnout and information overload. He recommends scheduling regular breaks to step away from screens and resting your eyes and mind. 

Khan recommends creating a schedule for actively consuming content. “Decide in advance when you will check social media or news, and stick to those times.” You can also allocate specific time blocks for each type of education and inspirational or relaxing content. For example, you may dedicate 30 minutes daily to catch up on news or an hour to listen to a podcast while walking. Also, include various content, such as reading fiction or catching up on your favorite comedy show, to avoid burnout from negative content. 

She also recommends using app blockers to limit access during work hours and curate your feeds to include only high-quality, relevant sources. 

To help manage screen time, Mankani recommends purposeful content consumption for younger children by focusing on educational or skill-building content, like documentaries, creative tutorials, or language-learning apps. 

“Encourage children to ask: ‘What do I want to learn today?’ rather than passively consuming whatever appears on their screen,” she says. 

Lastly, implement tech-free times and zones like no phones on the dining table during meals or before bedtime. She recommends outdoor activities, physical exercise, or creative hobbies that replace the urge to turn to screens.