Screens and the Health of Children and Youth: An Issue That Concerns Us All

Public Health at the Vitalité Health Network emphasizes the importance of responsible screen use and invites everyone to exercise caution regarding the effects of screens and social media on the health and development of children and youth.

While technology can prove useful, prolonged exposure carries well-documented risks for the physical and mental health, safety, and overall development of children and youth. The social and health inequalities it could amplify also deserve special attention.

It's worth noting that in New Brunswick, only one in four students (24%) in grades 4 and 5 and one in eight students (12%) from grades 6 to 12 meet Canadian targets for recreational screen time.

Previously, recommendations focused mainly on time spent in front of screens: less than two hours per day for children over 5, less than one hour per day between ages 2 and 5, and no screen time before age 2. Today, we better understand that we must also consider how, when, where, and why they are used, as well as each child's personal characteristics.

Between ages 0 and 5, toddlers learn primarily through interactions with their environment and exploration of their surroundings. Excessive screen presence can limit these essential experiences and hinder certain aspects of their development.

While parents play a leading role, they cannot act alone. "The well-being of children and youth when using screens and social media is a shared responsibility between families, decision-makers in the various environments where children live, learn, play and have fun, as well as digital companies," reminds Nancy Ferguson, public health nurse.

Ms. Ferguson also emphasizes the importance of setting an example: "Children learn a lot through observation. If a child sees their parents using their cell phone during meals, at the table, or while driving, they might believe this is normal and acceptable behavior."

Here are some tips based on best practices:

• Respect recommended screen times for each age group.
• Avoid exposing children to screens before bedtime.
• Don't systematically use screens to distract, calm, or reward children.
• Promote healthy and safe screen use in environments where children and youth live, play, learn, and have fun.
• Provide spaces and opportunities that encourage young people to move and be creative.
• Better protect the privacy of children and youth.
• Develop their critical thinking regarding social networks.
• Legally regulate digital marketing targeting youth.

Public Health at the Vitalité Health Network encourages and supports collective initiatives aimed at creating environments favorable to healthy, thoughtful, and safe screen use, and will continue its awareness and promotion efforts with the population.

To listen to the Podcast episode with Cynthia Ferguson:

For more information about the recommendations:

https://pauseyourscreen.com/recommendations-for-childrens-screen-use/