Surge in social media use among Omani children

Muscat: A recent study conducted by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) has revealed a dramatic increase in social media usage among children in the Sultanate of Oman.

The research, which surveyed over 2,700 Omani families, found that 78% of children under the age of 18 were active on social media platforms in 2024. This marks a significant jump from the 14% recorded in a similar study conducted in 2019.

The findings indicate that eight out of every 10 children in this age group are engaged with social media, with approximately 60% using these platforms daily for an average of two and a quarter hours.

YouTube emerged as the most popular platform, used by 82% of the children, followed by WhatsApp at 47%, and Instagram at 31%.NCSI’s analysis highlighted variations in app usage based on the age of the children. Younger children predominantly use applications featuring children’s programmes, while older children transition to apps related to studying, communication with family and friends, and eventually to those focused on events and gaming.

Parental monitoring of social media use appears to decrease as children age. While 81% of parents reported monitoring their children’s social media activity, this supervision lessens as children grow older.

The 2019 study showed a slightly lower parental monitoring rate at 76%. Parents use various tools to monitor their children, including personal follow-up (81.4%), setting specific times for use (19.8%), installing electronic monitoring programmes (14.2%), blocking and limiting applications (10.1%), and identifying specific locations (4%).

Among the parents who do not monitor their children, 59% cited the presence of another family member who handles this responsibility. Other reasons included confidence in their parenting (20.7%), lack of time (17%), perceived absence of danger (6.7%), and not knowing how to monitor or not considering it necessary (4.5%).

The study also examined parental perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of children using social media. On the positive side, 41% of households believe social media helps children understand their studies better, while 38% think it provides useful information and news, enhances cognitive awareness, imparts basic skills, and strengthens family and social relationships.

Conversely, many parents expressed concerns about negative impacts. Around 37% of parents feared exposure to pornographic and indecent materials, 29% viewed social media as a time-waster, and others cited health problems, neglect of academic responsibilities, low academic achievement, electronic addiction, and social isolation as major concerns.

Parents voiced mixed feelings about their children’s social media use. Some expressed appreciation for the educational benefits and increased connectivity with family and friends.

One parent, Jaber Al Abri, told Times of Oman, “Social media has become an essential tool for my child’s education. It provides valuable resources and keeps them engaged with their studies.”

Another, Mussabah Al Khaldi, added, “Through social media, my children maintain stronger relationships with our extended family, which is especially important in our culture.”

However, many parents remain apprehensive. “I’m worried about the kind of content my child might come across online,” Maya Al Habsi shared.

She added: “There’s a real risk of exposure to inappropriate material.”

Another concern highlighted was the potential for addiction: “My child spends hours on social media, and it’s affecting their sleep and study habits,” said Salma Al Balushi.

Some parents also noted a decline in physical activity and face-to-face interactions.

“Kids today seem more isolated, spending less time playing outside or interacting in person,” one parent from Barka, Saba Al Zadjali, observed. “It’s concerning to see how dependent they’ve become on screens for their entertainment and social life,” she added.

This comprehensive study underscores the growing influence of social media on children in Oman and highlights the need for balanced and vigilant use of these platforms to harness their benefits while mitigating potential risks.

The diverse perspectives of parents reflect the complexity of this issue and the ongoing challenge of navigating the digital landscape in a way that supports children’s healthy development.