Attention Hunters: Children in the web of algorithms and the digital addiction industry

“The problem is not the phone, but the engineering of attention that is reshaping childhood itself”.

In homes once filled with the noise of play, a new kind of silence now dominates. A child sits transfixed by a glowing screen, fingers moving quickly, eyes fixed in near-total absorption. When the smartphone is taken away, the reaction can be intense. The distress is not simply about losing a device, but about being pulled from a digital environment that feels more engaging than everyday reality.

The smartphone has evolved beyond a communication tool. It has become a psychological ecosystem that shapes attention spans, emotional responses, imagination, and even the definition of pleasure. Childhood is increasingly influenced by systems designed to capture and hold focus.

Statistics illustrate the magnitude of this transformation. A 2021 benchmark report by Common Sense Media found that children aged 8 to 12 spend an average of 5 hours and 33 minutes per day on entertainment screens.

Teenagers aged 13 to 18 average 8 hours and 39 minutes daily, nearly equivalent to a full-time workday. In the Middle East, a 2023 review published in BMC Psychiatry reported that problematic smartphone use may reach 37.9 percent among youth, signaling a growing behavioral concern. Across Gulf countries, studies indicate that children and adolescents spend between 35 and 40 hours per week in front of screens.

The issue extends beyond screen time. Many digital platforms are deliberately engineered to sustain engagement. Endless scrolling, autoplay features, and constant notifications rely on variable reward mechanisms similar to those used in gambling systems. Each unexpected alert or digital reward triggers dopamine responses, reinforcing repetitive behavior and making disengagement difficult.

Algorithms analyze every interaction. Pauses, clicks, and preferences are recorded and refined, allowing systems to predict and shape behavior with precision.

Tariq Al Hosani, Founder and Chairman of ZeroGravity Group, explains, “We are not living in the age of smartphones, but in the age of the attention economy. The child is no longer a user of the application, but raw material digitally engineered for advertisers”.

Games such as Fortnite and Roblox intensify this dynamic by offering immersive social environments. Children build identities, form friendships, and gain recognition within virtual communities. Losing access can feel like losing belonging.

Addressing this challenge requires thoughtful redirection rather than rejection. Technology can support creativity and learning when designed responsibly. Reclaiming attention depends on creating meaningful alternatives that restore balance and protect the essence of childhood.