The growing use of Internet and online chatting during the summer holidays is creating health problems among children and also impairing their vision. "A large number of Saudi children are staying awake the whole night watching satellite TV programs and doing online chatting. Then they come to our clinic with headaches, abdominal pains and general weakness.  Referring to the health problems among the children, unlike in the past when they used to visit the clinics only during Ramadan, there had been a suger in the number of child patients during the last two years marking the advent of the Internet. "They keep awake the whole night and come for an appointment in the morning with headache and general weakness. I tell them all they need is good sleep during night. Certain chemicals, like Melatonin, for example, are released in the brain at night. This gives you a feeling of freshness and well-being when you get up in the morning. But a person who stays awake the whole night deprives himself of its beneficial effect." Late night watching of satellite TV programs was also responsible for Saudi women snacking during the programs and putting on weight. This was causing obesity leading to growing incidence of diabetes among women. An estimated 17 percent of the Saudi population is said to suffer from diabetes, because of fast food, lack of exercise, and heavy reliance on maids for doing household work. A growing number of Saudi women were suffering from diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis (loss of bone density) and osteoarthritis (pain in the joints) due to prolonged exposure to satellite TV. This sedentary habit, coupled with their tendency to snack while watching TV programs, resulted in weight gain and other health problems. The only solution was to lead an active life, avoid junk food, and do regular exercise. By : Dr. Ali R.Al-Shammary, Consultant Family Medicine, at the VIP Clinic of KFNGH.