2 September 2025 | 10:47 CAT
3-minute read

Image: The New Yorker

Attention has become one of the scarcest resources of our time, with nearly half of adults globally believing their ability to focus has worsened. In South Africa, where an estimated 2,5% to 4,3% of people live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), this challenge is compounded by a lack of diagnosis and treatment, as well as the unrelenting pull of screens.

Professor Renata Schoeman, head of the MBA in Healthcare Leadership at Stellenbosch Business School, says the problem extends far beyond ADHD itself, with technology reshaping how our brains pay attention.

“This pull that we sit with — the decrease in our attention spans aggravated by online time — worsens the lack of access to services and diagnosis and proper treatment of ADHD in South Africa. And I see so many students and patients that present with ADHD-like symptoms when it’s in fact not ADHD,” she explained.

Schoeman was speaking ahead of the Sixth Southern African Multidisciplinary ADHD Congress, which begins this week under the theme “ADHD in the Digital Age: Thriving in a World of Distraction.” The virtual event, hosted in collaboration with the Goldilocks and the Bear Foundation and Stellenbosch Business School, is expected to attract more than 500 participants from over a dozen countries. It will showcase new research and practical strategies for managing ADHD and attention difficulties in today’s highly digitalised world.

Globally, research supports Professor Schoeman’s concerns. A 2023 study published in Nature Communications found that heavy digital multitasking is linked to poorer attention regulation and lower academic performance. Similarly, the World Health Organization officially recognised “gaming disorder” in 2019, while researchers have also highlighted “internet addiction disorder” as a growing concern — conditions closely tied to excessive screen use.

Professor Schoeman says the trends are evident in everyday life.

“Ten years ago, we were building puzzles, we were reading books, we were sitting in lectures without a problem. These days, every five minutes, a channel needs to be changed, or there’s the incessant scrolling on the cell phones. Teachers need to pull out all bells and whistles in the classroom to keep their attention in class,” she noted.

For those worried about their own screen time or that of their children, Professor Schoeman suggests practical strategies rooted in discipline and balance.

“If we can put digital boundaries in place, meaning certain times I’m offline, I detox, I also manage my apps and my notifications not to disrupt me from other tasks, and I have designated tech-free zones — for example, bedrooms shouldn’t have any technology — that is good boundaries,” she said.

But while lifestyle changes are important, experts stress that professional help may be necessary when digital habits spiral into addiction. Internet addiction disorder is now formally recognised, with studies showing many people underestimate how much time they actually spend online. According to Statista, South Africans spend an average of 9 hours and 24 minutes online each day — one of the highest rates globally.

Porfessor Schoeman warns that the consequences are far-reaching, from impaired productivity to deteriorating mental health. Yet she remains hopeful that awareness, education, and responsible digital use can restore balance.

“We cannot get away from technology. It’s very, very useful. But we must be careful that it doesn’t control us,” she emphasised.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.