The issue of children’s screen exposure raises all sorts of concerns. It is, quite frankly, a thorny one.
Because yes, the younger generation is growing up with these screens, which have become omnipresent, from traditional TV to the smartphone that makes its way into our pockets. And these screens are useful: they entertain, they are fun, they provide information, they allow us to keep in touch…
But they are also dangerous. Scientific research points to major risks for children and teens, both in terms of well-being (sleep, eye health, concentration, emotional regulation) and in terms of their development, on all sorts of levels: physical and motor development, cognitive, social, and emotional.
But what are these risks, then, and how can we prevent them? Should we ban screens from our lives forever and give up on the game console and Mario Kart sessions with your little cousin? Are there good practices for limiting the negative effects of screens on children?
Follow the guide, we’ll explain everything!
Children and screens: a few numbers
It’s no secret that the youngest among us are spending more and more time with their eyes glued to screens. And for good reason, they are everywhere, in the lives of both parents and their children: computers, tablets, smartphones, television—the temptations are multiple, and not just at home.
The numbers speak for themselves: according to the ESTEBAN study by Santé Publique France , "The proportion of young people spending 3 hours or more in front of a screen each day reached 45% for 6–10 year olds, 70% for 11–14 year olds, 71% for girls aged 15–17, and 87% for boys aged 15–17. "
🇺🇸 In the United States, surveys have even revealed that toddlers under 2 years old spend an average of 42 minutes per day in front of screens. For your information, the WHO actually recommends banning screens until age 2 (or even 3!)
Screens and child cognitive development
Screens, which are so important in adult life, are therefore also a huge part of children's lives. But their excessive use can have consequences on their small brains, which are still in full development.
Indeed, at an age where their brain is not yet mature (it is allegedly not fully mature until age 25 or even 30 according to a British study), exposing children to screens for too long and too often is said to have an impact on its development.
To better understand how high doses of screens can play a role in young children's brain development, think of it as having learning windows during the first few years—important periods for unlocking and perfecting each skill.
Basically, during these periods when neural connections develop more easily, if the brain is not stimulated to cross certain milestones, there may be trouble filling those gaps later on.
During these so-called critical periods, it is essential to stimulate the child’s sensory system and therefore limit prolonged, fixed exposure to screens.
What do the latest studies say?
In the United States, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) studied the impact of screens on the brains of 4,500 children aged 9 and 10, notably thanks to data provided by MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
⚠️ First observation: children who spent more than 7 hours a day on a tablet, smartphone, or video games showed different results in brain scans. More importantly, the images revealed a thinning of the cerebral cortex, considered a sign of premature brain aging.
⚠️ Furthermore, the children participating in this study who spent more than 2 hours a day in front of a screen obtained poorer results in memory and language tests than the control group.
Another study warning about the effects of screens on the brains of the very young: the one conducted by the CHEO Research Institute at the University of Ottawa, published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.
⚠️ According to this Canadian study, "children who spend more than 2 hours a day on screens have poorer cognitive abilities than those whose exposure is more limited." The results were once again clear: spending more than 2 hours of screen time per day, every day, would impoverish a child's cognitive development.
Direct consequences of screen exposure for the very young: difficulties with attention and concentration due to cognitive overstimulation were noted in several study groups.
Language, sleep, and cognitive performance of the children participating in the CHEO study were heavily impacted by screen time by age that was significantly higher than WHO recommendations.
Finally, problem-solving ability is also said to be disrupted: by dint of receiving answers more easily and directly from screen content, children think differently, less critically. These statements should be taken with a grain of salt, as many parameters can influence one's ability to think.
💡 Good to know: these studies are quite recent, so we would like to draw your attention to the fact that we will likely need to wait a few more years to have more perspective on the observed results. But all the indicators point to real dangers for children, so it is better to limit their exposure to screens!
Screens and the socio-emotional development of the child
But it’s not just cognitive development that screens disrupt:
👉 the regulation of emotions, communication, and children’s social skills are also impacted by screen exposure.
🗣 Communication
Children who spend a lot of time in front of screens may have fewer opportunities to communicate with others verbally and non-verbally, and therefore have more language, communication, or even empathy issues.
Because yes, face-to-face interactions are essential for developing these skills.
🫤 Isolation
Another danger of screens pointed out by these studies: the risk of isolation and desocialization for children exposed to screens too often, with risks of depression and withdrawal triggered by this lack of interaction and external stimulation.
😤 Emotion regulation
The lack of contact with their peers could also disrupt the learning and regulation of a child’s emotions.
These effects are further reinforced by the difficulty of cutting off screen time for a child who has been accustomed to spending hours on it.
In short, an overabundance of screens could cut children off from the outside world: it is better to prioritize play and quality time with real people (in the flesh, not in pixels!), even if it means taking your kid to the park or reading "Tchoupi at the pool" to them for the hundredth time. Interactions are simply essential to development in early childhood.
The consequences of excessive screen consumption on the healthy physical and motor development of the child
Finally, be aware that prolonged screen exposure has physical effects on the youngest among us.
🦴 Posture
First of all, via posture: remember that posture in front of a screen, whether for work or entertainment, is not ideal for body alignment or preventing back problems.
Just imagine what that can do to a body that is growing! Musculoskeletal disorders, an increased risk of scoliosis, and cervical problems (the famous "text neck") are among the complications that can affect kids who are glued to their screens for too long.
🏃♀️ Motor skills
But that's not all! As with cognitive development, screen use can prevent a child from developing harmoniously on a motor level: they then have less opportunity to exert themselves and exercise their motor skills such as balance, hand-eye coordination, and general muscular development.
🍦 Obesity, diabetes, and such
Another consequence of excessive screen consumption in children, teens, and even adults: the increase in sedentary behavior.
It’s not complicated to understand: a child who sits for hours scrolling on the couch will be less active than a child who is burning energy going up the slide backwards for the tenth time or trying a trick on a scooter!
We know that a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of obesity, and therefore, the risk of developing conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.
😴 Sleep
Obviously, as with adults, we cannot talk about the health consequences for children without mentioning sleep problems related to screens or ocular disorders. As a reminder, until age 10, the eye’s crystalline lens is still in full development and is therefore even more fragile. Another good reason to keep the young ones away from screens!
Screen usage and child development: the good practices
The picture is therefore worrying: excessive screen consumption creates problems at all levels for children.
But they must in any case learn to tame omnipresent screens, if only because they will need them in their adult lives.
So, how does one grow up in the all-digital era without suffering from screens?
👩👩👧👦 Recommendations by age
First, remember that there are screen time recommendations by age. To put it simply, it is better to ban screens completely for toddlers and remain cautious about their use later on. In figures, that gives:
- 0 minutes per day before age 3
- 20 minutes per day until age 6
- 1 to 2 hours per day until age 9
- 2 hours per day for older children
Beyond screen time, it is also important to pay attention to the content!
Rather than launching yet another Baby Shark video or sticking the youngest in front of a cartoon to get some peace, you have to participate and interact. Prioritize fun, interactive content adapted to their age so that screen time is not a passive and solitary activity.
In short, the good practices for a young child to grow harmoniously in the all-screen era are not that complicated. Rationing is mandatory so that healthy consumption does not turn into overconsumption. One must find alternative activities that encourage curiosity, play, physical activity, and interaction.
And then, children follow the example of adults. So you, too, will have to put down your screen and live a little in the real world. In the end, it will do everyone good.
💡 Good to know: demonizing screens makes no sense. We aren't telling you to go on a hike into Mordor where the Shadows lie to toss all your screens into Mount Doom. Learning how to use screens is important, and they are also useful for children, through fun and entertaining activities. Playing as a family is a joy, at least until the day the youngest starts beating you at Mario Party. As they get older, they also become a part of their social life, and they need to learn how to master them. You have to find the right balance.
A final word: the impact of screens on child development
Screens are everywhere in the lives of adults and children. And the growing body of scientific research points to many dangers for the development of our little ones (note: if your little one is a redhead, they aren't spared).
There appear to be effects on cognitive levels, socio-emotional development, and physical and motor development. As for well-being, the picture is no more encouraging.
But good practices can help children grow up in our hyper-connected world while limiting the harmful effects of our glowing friends. Screens should be banned before the age of three, and limited thereafter, to instill healthy habits and avoid the trap of overconsumption and even addiction.
We must accompany children in their discovery of screens to promote fun and interactive activities. To teach them how to use what remains a formidable tool, a bottomless well of knowledge always within reach.
And we must lead by example: you too should disconnect and spend quality time with your family, far away from your entire collection of screens!
