Impact Of Screens On Children: Understanding And Managing Digital Exposure

Screen exposure is defined as the time spent in front of digital devices for various activities such as gaming, learning, communicating, or entertainment.

Screens have become ubiquitous in children’s daily lives (schools, homes, waiting rooms, etc.). They offer both learning opportunities for children and challenges for their development.  

Different types of screens

There are several types of screens:

• Television: Historically, television was the first screen to enter homes. Despite the diversity of new technologies, it remains a central medium;
• The computer: it has become an indispensable tool for homework and school projects. It allows children to access online educational resources and learn basic computer skills, which is crucial in today’s world.
• The tablet: thanks to its portability, it makes learning and entertainment accessible to children everywhere. It is used by some schools to access educational applications and e-books.
• The smartphone: it has revolutionized the way everyone interacts, but poses a challenge in terms of screen time management and content monitoring, especially for children.
• The game console: It is popular among teenagers because it offers a variety of games that can be played alone or with friends. Although many games promote strategic skills and problem-solving, the time spent on them must be regulated to avoid excessive use.  

Integrating screens into children’s daily lives

The integration of screens into children’s daily lives varies depending on age, family background, and cultural values. Many parents and educators struggle to balance the educational benefits with the risks of excessive screen exposure.

Clear limits and rules should be set regarding children’s screen time, while encouraging a variety of off-screen activities to ensure balanced development.

Impact of screens on children: current events in France

On January 10, 2024, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, appointed a commission of experts and tasked them with assessing the impact of young people’s exposure to screens.

After three months of work, the commission’s findings were submitted to the President of the Republic on April 30, 2024. In this report, the experts developed recommendations that are in the best interests of the child. These recommendations focus on six areas:

• Axis 1: Tackling the addictive and restrictive designs of certain digital services, to ban them.
• Axis 2: Protect rather than control children;
• axis 3: assume and organize a progression of the use of screens and digital technology among children, according to their age;
• axis 4: seriously prepare young people for their autonomy on screens, while giving them the power to act and reassigning their place in collective life;
• axis 5: better equip, train in digital technology, and support parents, teachers, educators, and all those who work with children;  
• Axis 6: Establish an ambitious governance system enabling public authorities to define a real strategy, to have management capabilities, to be able to better support the actors who work with young people and families, and to inform citizens.

The President of the Republic has given his government the task of examining these recommendations and transforming them into actions, to determine the proper use of screens by children both at home and at school.

Screen use has potential benefits for children, especially those of school age, although this use must be well supervised and balanced:

• Education and learning: Screen media can be powerful educational tools, as they will improve children’s academic performance, enrich their knowledge, and help them maintain positive relationships with their teachers and peers.  
• Digital skills development: Screen use can help children develop computer and technology skills, internet navigation skills, and an understanding of digital media that are essential for their future professional and personal lives.
• Socialization and communication: Cooperative and competitive video games played with family or friends can contribute to the development of identity, cognition, and socialization. According to a study, some children, especially boys, regularly socialize through video games. In addition, children can stay in touch with their families and friends through video calls, instant messaging, and social networks.
• Creativity and self-expression: Many tools and apps allow children to explore and express their creativity. Whether through drawing, music, video creation, or programming, screens offer varied platforms for children to express their ideas and talents in innovative ways.
• Entertainment and relaxation: Screens are also a source of entertainment that can be beneficial for relaxation and stress management. Movies, TV shows, video games, and other multimedia content can be effective ways to unwind after a day at school.

Furthermore, screens can have positive effects in specific situations. According to the High Council for Public Health, screens have beneficial effects on:

• Children with cognitive developmental disorders or delays. Supervised use of digital technology has had positive effects on their learning.
• Children with autistic disorder.

According to the same Council, active video games combining cognitive and physical exercises lead to improvements in behavior, cognitive development, and social interactions.

Good to know – For better screen time for children, the basics can be summed up in two words: parental support!

Children’s screen use has become a major concern for parents, educators, health professionals, and even the government, due to the proven adverse effects on their physical and mental health in the event of overexposure.  

Physical impact

On a physical level, the impacts can be translated by:

• Eye problems: visual fatigue, dry eyes, irritation. Blue light from screens can disrupt the circadian rhythm and affect sleep.
• Sleep disturbances: exposure to screens before bed interferes with the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, which can make it difficult to fall asleep;
• postural problems: hours spent in front of screens can lead to adopting inappropriate postures, which will cause various ailments (neck, back, shoulder pain, etc.);
• obesity: Excessive screen time contributes to a reduction in the time spent on physical activities and encourages snacking. The combination of the two leads to weight gain and even obesity.
• Delayed motor skills: In very young children, excessive screen time can delay the development of fine motor skills that are acquired through more physical and interactive activities.

Cognitive and emotional impact

In children, screens can affect:

• Brain development and learning basic skills: Children overexposed to screens are more likely to develop language delays than others. Exposing them to screens from their first months of life can have consequences on their cognitive development.
• Attention and concentration: according to MILDECA, this is valid even if the child is in a room with the television on, without watching it;
• Emotional well-being and balance: For exposure of more than four hours per day, there are increased risks of experiencing emotional problems and poor self-esteem.

Additionally, compulsive screen use is increasingly recognized as a serious risk, with symptoms similar to other forms of addiction. It can affect mood and overall well-being.

Although screens are undeniably part of everyday life today, overexposure of children has become, for many authorities, a public health problem.

In France, certain recommendations are being made to ensure support for digital parenting. As such, the High Council for Public Health has made the following recommendations:

• Before the age of 3, screens should be avoided if the conditions for parental interaction are not met.
• Ban on 3D screens for children under 5 years old;
• Do not have a screen in the children’s room, and do not let them watch television for an hour before going to sleep.
• Support screen consumption based on screens, age categories, and content;
• find a balance between allowing and prohibiting, and limiting the time of use to devote time to other activities;
• be able to spot the warning signs of excessive screen use and seek help and advice.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it would be necessary to:

• Avoid placing a child in front of a screen before the age of two.
• Limit screen time to one hour per day, maximum between 3 and 5 years old.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that screen time be introduced starting at 18 months. However, content selection remains paramount at this age. The AAP, however, emphasizes the need for parents to be present with the child.

According to experts commissioned by the President of the Republic in January 2024, screens should be banned for children under the age of 3. Those under the age of 11 should not have cell phones, and those under 15 should not have access to social media.

Although the age varies depending on the Authority making the recommendation, the idea remains the same: we must remain cautious and limit exposure to screens as much as possible.

Good to know: Support for children regarding screen use is based on the type of screen (tablet, television, video game, etc.) and age group.

Practical advice for parents

To limit the negative impacts of screens, the off button isn’t the ultimate solution. To better manage their children’s screen exposure, parents are advised to:

• Communicate with their children and try to understand their habits;
• Take an interest in what they do to guide them towards content that suits them best.
• Set time limits based on age.
• Establish good digital hygiene by, for example, avoiding screens before going to sleep and taking regular breaks to reduce visual and cognitive fatigue;
• Install a parental filter to protect children from inappropriate content.
• Take an interest in what your child is watching (or playing), so that you can discuss it with them;
• Encourage children to engage in other non-screen games and physical activities.
• Lead by example: don’t ban children from using screens and use them yourself, in front of them.