Kids and Screens
- Dr. Jo Ann Unger, C. Psych.
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
These days access to the internet and using devices to learn, work, and play is at an all-time high. Whether by phone, tablet or computer the ability for children and teens to access digital screens is often inevitable. Caregivers of children and teens are rightfully concerned about the effects of screen use on their children’s health and development. They may wonder whether there are any benefits to screen use and how much is too much?
While much of the recent media focus has been on the risks to screen use, there are some benefits. Access to information, learning and organizational tools, development of certain skills, connections to peers and family members, and harmless entertainment are some of those benefits. However, too much screen use means replacing other activities needed for healthy growth and development.
Technology changes so quickly that trying to find solid advice on screens and children can be overwhelming. Drs. Jo Ann Unger and Michelle Warren, Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychologists, have been reviewing the research and working clinically with families on this issue. Below are some basic information and common recommendations they often provide to families.
Young Children and Screen Use
In general, in-person interactions with caring adults are better than virtual ones for children’s social-emotional development. However, using screens for education, and to support language, cognitive, and social development can have a positive impact when done well. There are even some technologies that can encourage full body movement and exercise! However, more commonly, an overuse of screens has been associated with language delays, lower cognitive abilities, and poorer reading skills. Other examples of negative effects include reduced emotional self-regulation abilities, behaviour problems, social skills deficits, poorer motor development, and sleep difficulties when viewed right before bed.
The Canadian Paediatric Society has recommended that children under the age of 2 have no screen time unless it is to connect with family members. Children between the ages of 2 and 5 should only engage in under an hour of use a day and it should be broken up with other activities that involve physical movement. Screens should be avoided after 7 p.m. and at least an hour before bed. It is ideal to prioritize age-appropriate educational material as well as caregivers being present during their younger children’s screen use.
While it may seem easy to decide what limits we want for our younger children’s screen use, it can be difficult to put these plans and ideas into action. Here are some examples of strategies caregivers can use to help their children have healthier screen use:
As the adult, role model healthy screen behaviour (caregiver screen use has been shown to be associated with child screen use). If they see you having constant access to screens, they will want that too and saying no can become more difficult to justify.
As a family, plan for regular screen-free time.
Plan ahead for when kids will get screen time. Be specific around the type of media activity that is allowed; ‘surfing’ can be difficult to set content- and time-limits on. Planning ahead reduces the need to say no to each request. Caregivers can just refer to the plan.
Limit most screen activities to ones that have positive benefits, i.e.. educational videos and/or apps.
Incentivize the completion of other tasks such as homework, physical activity, or social activities; expect them to be completed before screen time is allowed.
Give a warning before ending screen time. Allow for some flexibility for finishing up what a child is doing within reason, but hold fast to pre-set time limits.
If there are protests to ending screen time, validate children’s feelings of sadness and disappointment; coach them through regulating their emotions if they are upset but stick to the limit.
Have an activity or task ready to move to after the screen time has ended and gently guide them to this activity or task.
Reward children with praise when they end screen time at the first request.
If there is acting out, have a natural consequence prepared ahead of time that has been previously discussed as a family.
Remember one small step at a time is what it takes make change or create habits. If a day happens when you go off track, reset and try again the next day. Let’s be honest, parenting is hard enough, and adding screens into the mix makes it a daunting task. But if caregivers are willing to learn along with their kids, screens can be navigated and not demonized.
Additional Resources
Canadian Pediatric Society Digital Media Resources
American Pediatric Society Family Media Plan
Media Smarts: Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy
Age-Appropriate Viewing
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