France: shocking recommendations to limit the use of screens among young people

No screen before 3 years old, no cell phone connected to the internet before 13 years old and no social networks before 15 years old: in France, a commission made up of experts advocates a major tightening of the rules surrounding the use of screens among young people in a series of recommendations presented this week to President Emmanuel Macron, who has given himself one month to develop an action plan. Here is an overview of the content of their report, as the role of screens among young people is raising more and more concerns here and elsewhere.

Harmful effects of screens: time to take action

A “clear scientific consensus” is emerging on “the harmful consequences of screens” on several aspects of the health of children and adolescents, in particular on sleep, sedentary lifestyle and vision, experts say. Regarding the risks of compromising other aspects of children’s development, the “precautionary principle” must take precedence, says one of the authors of the report, Grégoire Borst, in an interview with THE Newspaper. The commission was “upset” by “the strategies of capturing attention” used to “lock children on their screens” and “alarmed” by certain representations, of women in particular, that digital technology “hyper amplifies”, reads -on in the report.

“Benchmarks” for parents

To better regulate the use of screens among young people, French experts offer clear “benchmarks” for parents, which represent a “progression” according to the age of the children (see below). These are recommendations since a ban would, of course, be “inapplicable,” says Mr. Borst. “It is important for parents to have clear guidelines”, which are based on the needs of the child according to the different stages of his development, affirms the one who also insists on the reduction of screen time for parents , especially in the presence of their young children.

• Listen to the interview with Réjean Bergeron, philosopher and author, on Mathieu Bock-Côté’s show via QUB :

The school must make its contribution

Screens should also be banned from daycares and kindergarten classes, where educators should also not use their personal devices in the presence of children, adds the commission. Students should also not have access to a computer or tablet full-time in class (one device per student) until high school. Furthermore, the French law which has banned cell phones at school at all times since 2018, including at lunchtime and during breaks, should be strengthened. Experts also recommend blocking access to social networks on school Wi-Fi, at least until high school (which French students attend from the age of 15).

The use of screens in the child’s health record

The commission also recommends that the number of hours spent in front of a screen become a health indicator to be taken into account during medical follow-ups for toddlers. “A bit like with the weight and height curve, parents could thus more easily realize the evolution of their child’s screen time,” indicates Grégoire Borst. In this way, doctors and other health professionals might be able to better support families in managing screens at home, he adds.

Regulate social networks

This is a major challenge that must absolutely be tackled in a concerted manner, says the commission. “The responsibility lies first and foremost with the platforms,” adds Mr. Borst. It’s up to them to regulate content, it’s up to them to check the age of users and it’s up to them to put in place all the measures to protect minors if they want to be able to join them. . “Addictogenic” processes used by social networks should also be banned, according to experts who believe that Europe can exert strong pressure on social networks, considering the important market it represents.

Guidelines for parents in France: recommendations by age

Under 3 years: zero screen

It is recommended not to expose children to screens before the age of three, so as not to harm important stages of their development.

Between 3 and 6 years: screen not recommended

The use of screens is not recommended or must be strongly limited, with educational content and accompanied by an adult.

Between 6 and 11 years old: moderate use of screens, no cell phones

Children’s activities must remain varied, to contribute to their development.

From 11 years old: cell phone without internet

If children need a phone to communicate with their parents, it is recommended that the device cannot be used to connect to the internet.

From 13 years old: cell phone with internet but without social networks

Young people can have a connected cell phone, but without access to social networks or illegal content.

From 15 years old: cell phone with limited access to social networks

From this age, access to social networks should be limited to those who are equipped with ethical principles, that is to say, those who do not exhibit addictive processes.

And in Quebec, what are the guidelines for the use of screens?*

• Under 2 years: No screen time is recommended.
• From 2 to 5 years: less than an hour per day.
• From 6 to 12 years old: maximum of two hours per day.
• From 13 to 19 years old: no specific duration, may vary depending on the type of content.

*These recommendations are specific to leisure screen time.

Sources: French recommendations are taken from the report Children and screens: in search of lost time, written by the commission appointed by French President Emmanuel Macron. The Quebec recommendations are taken from the Quebec government website.