Young people are an important part of every society, and their health plays a critical role in determining the kind of future a country will have. Yet, changing lifestyles are increasingly exposing young people to two interconnected challenges: unhealthy eating habits and excessive use of mobile phones.
Many young people consume foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats while spending long hours on their phones instead of exercising, resting or engaging in other productive activities. While these behaviours may appear harmless when considered individually, their combined effect can gradually undermine physical, mental and social well-being.
One of the growing health concerns among young people is the consumption of unhealthy foods. Fast foods, sugary drinks and highly processed foods are often attractive because they are readily available, affordable and convenient. However, frequent consumption of such foods without a balanced diet can contribute to poor nutrition, unhealthy weight gain and an increased risk of health complications later in life.
Young people need balanced diets that provide essential nutrients, including vitamins, potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron and iodine, as well as adequate water. Proper nutrition is particularly important during youth because it supports growth, energy levels, concentration and overall health.
At the same time, excessive phone use has become a major challenge to healthy living. Many young people spend hours scrolling through social media, watching videos, playing games or chatting, sometimes well into the night. As screen time increases, time that could otherwise be devoted to sleep, exercise, face-to-face interaction and other productive activities is reduced.
The problem becomes particularly concerning when excessive phone use interferes with sleep. Young people who stay connected to their screens late at night may struggle to get adequate rest, leaving them tired, less focused and less productive during the day. Over time, this can disrupt healthy routines and make it more difficult to maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Unhealthy eating and excessive phone use can also reinforce each other. A young person may spend much of the day sitting with a phone, eating snacks or fast food while watching videos or scrolling through social media, and then remain awake late into the night. This pattern leaves little room for physical activity, nutritious meals, meaningful social interaction and adequate sleep.
Social media further complicates the situation. Digital platforms have become powerful spaces for advertising and shaping consumer behaviour, particularly among young people. Food advertisements, celebrity endorsements and online trends can encourage young users to associate fast foods, sugary drinks and highly processed products with popularity, entertainment and social status. As a result, food choices may sometimes be driven more by what is trending online than by what the body actually needs.
This is why health and nutrition education among young people is increasingly important. Young people need the knowledge and confidence to distinguish between convenience and healthy choices, and between entertainment and habits that may negatively affect their well-being.
Addressing these challenges requires collective responsibility. Parents and guardians, schools, institutions, leaders and youth organisations all have a role to play in promoting healthier lifestyles. Young people should be encouraged to eat balanced meals, drink enough water, exercise regularly and reduce their consumption of foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.
They should also develop healthier relationships with technology. This includes setting reasonable limits on screen time, taking regular breaks from devices and, particularly, reducing phone use before bedtime to create enough time for sleep and relaxation.
Technology itself is not the problem. Mobile phones provide valuable opportunities for education, communication, creativity and access to information. The challenge is ensuring that technology serves young people rather than controlling their daily routines. A phone should not become a substitute for exercise, sleep, healthy food or meaningful human interaction.
The health of today’s youth will shape the productivity and resilience of tomorrow’s society. Tackling unhealthy eating and excessive screen use is therefore not simply a matter of individual choice; it is a shared responsibility.
By making better food choices, becoming more physically active, managing screen time and prioritising adequate rest, young people can protect their health today while building healthier, more productive communities for the future.
The author works with the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC).
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