Screens and Digital Behaviour

Screens and Digital Behaviour

The rise in screen time, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has raised concerns about its impact on children’s health. Only 25.6% of Canadian children and youth adhered to screen time guidelines six months into the pandemic.

Using the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School framework, schools, parents, community partners and policymakers can promote healthier digital habits and prioritize the well-being of students.

Key Statistics

  • Screen Time Adherence: 54.1% of children aged 3-4, 65.9% of children aged 5-11, and 51.5% of youth aged 12-17 adhered to screen time guidelines.
  • Recreational Screen Time: 83% of students spend 3+ hours daily on screens, exceeding recommended limits.
  • Social Media Use: 93% of youth aged 15-24 use text messaging, 91% use social networking sites, and 66% play online games.

Curriculum Supports

Media Smarts (K-8): Tools to help students develop critical thinking skills for interacting with media. https://mediasmarts.ca/

Common Sense Media (K-12): Lesson plans and resources for digital citizenship and responsible technology use. https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship/curriculum

School Mental Health Ontario: Webinars and resources on the adverse effects of excessive screen time and tools to reduce usage.

Screen-Free Week and Screen-Free Saturdays

School Board Policies

The Cellphones and Other Personal Devices in Schools restrictions: Ontario wide policies keep cell phones silent and out of sight during instructional time. http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/safeschools/personal-mobile-devices-in-school-parent.pdf

Digital Literacy: Emphasis on digital literacy in the curriculum to prepare students for future careers. https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resources/digital-literacy-framework

Parental Involvement: Annual reminders about mobile device policies and consequences for non-compliance. Review Screen and Digital Behaviour Board Policy Summary

Recommendations for Parents

 

Jake Earnst – Parenting in the Digital Age June 2024

Jake Earnest Logo

Today's parents are faced with an unprecedented challenge: to parent and raise their kids in the age of the internet. Many of today’s kids are constantly online and many parents are growing concerned about the impact this is having on kids and their wellbeing. In this session, we’ll talk about the number one factor that impacts whether or not kids get hooked by their device, what apps and websites parents should know about, how to avoid common digital parenting mistakes, and how to strike a balance between digital safety and digital freedom. Participants will come away with tips and tools for raising resilient and responsible kids in the age of the internet.

Jake Ernst, MSW RSW is a social worker, psychotherapist, speaker, writer, and Clinical Director at his group practice clinic, Straight Up Health in Toronto, Canada.

 

How Much Screen Time is too Much?

Guidelines

Age 0-4 Ages 5-17 Age 18-64
  • Infants <1 Screen time is not recommended
  • 1-2 years No more than 1 hour – less is better
  • 3-5 years, Limit routine or regular screen time to less than 1 hour per day – less is better
  • <5 years ensure sedentary screen time is not a routine part of child care
  • Maintain daily ‘screen free’ time especially during meals and book time
  • No screens at least 1 hour before bedtime (CPS, 2017)
  • No more than 2 hours a day of recreational screen time.
  • Limited sitting for extended periods.
  • Limit sedentary time to 8 hours or less, which includes: no more than 3 hours of recreational screen time and breaking up long periods of sitting as often as possible.
  • Model healthy screen use
  • Choose healthy alternatives – reading, outdoor play and creative, hands-on activities
  • Turn off their devices at home during family time
  • Turn off screens when not in use and avoid background TV

 

MOST ADULTS THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO LIMIT CHILDREN’S SCREEN TIME TO THE RECOMMENDED ≤ 2 H/DAY BUT FEW ADULTS THEMSELVES ADHERE TO THIS SCREEN TIME LIMIT

  • Strategies to reduce screen time in children may also need to target adult screen use
  • Reduce the risks associated with screen time

RESOURCES:

Canadian 24 Hour Movement Guidelines – All ages

Caring for Kids, Canadian Paediatric Society – information, posters, booklets and tips for young children

Childcare Providers Toolkit (Michigan)

 

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