Children spending too much time on the Internet, watching television, playing video games and messaging each other have a greater tendency to become obese, perform poorly at school and develop behavioral problems.

This was the assessment of Mohammad Masood Ahmed, group director of the Vidya Group of Institutions in Hyderabad and a health expert, during a lecture at the DPS International School in Jeddah on Wednesday.

Ahmed’s lecture was entitled “Grooming Children for a Better Future, Using Electronic and Social Media: The Dark Side.” He said electronic media includes television, video games, the Internet particularly social networking sites, and other applications used on desktops, tablets and smartphones.

The Khak-e-Taiba Trust (KTT), Jeddah chapter, with the Twin City Youth Welfare Association organized the event.

“We should check what negative effects this modern technology is having on our children. Obesity levels are increasing, IQ levels are being affected and children are displaying various behavioral problems,” he said.

He said children and teenagers between the ages of 8 and 18 are spending over six hours a day on electronic media, more than any other activity. This was up from four hours a day five years ago. This was of concern because a crucial period for childhood development was between the ages of 11 and 14.

“Eighty percent of adolescents have access to at least one form of media,” he said. Twenty-five percent of children communicate with friends via instant messages, 25 percent contact friends via social networking sites, and 11 percent use e-mail.

Ahmed said this was affecting children’s attention span, academic performance and their ability to learn and read.

He said violent and sexual content on television and video games have been proven to result in more aggressive behavior and thoughts, angry feelings, less empathy for others, and heightened fear.

“It’s important to monitor how much time you let your child spend online, watching television, or playing video games. If you and your child have difficulties resolving issues around social media use on your own, consider consulting a mental health professional,” he said.

He said children should spend more time on religious activities, getting more sleep and exercising regularly.

Those in attendance included Zia Nadvi, the school’s director, Ahmed Abdul Hakeem, KTT president, Ajaz Ahmed, KTT trustee, Syed Vaqar, KTT trustee and general secretary, Mirza Qudrat Baig, the event adviser, Aleem Khan Falki, senior adviser, students and parents.

Nadvi said the topic was important because it concerned the development of students.