A leading University of Calgary researcher is sounding the alarm, stating that the negative impacts of excessive digital screen time on young people have now clearly surpassed any benefits, demanding urgent and broad intervention.
Dr. Sheri Madigan, a clinical psychologist and the sole Canadian contributor to the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) latest policy statement on children's screen time, argues the issue requires attention far beyond parental oversight. She calls for a collective effort involving schools, lawmakers, and the tech industry itself.
A Call for Collective Action
"We have to have open and honest discussions on how their devices are controlling them rather than them controlling their devices... it should be all hands on deck," Madigan emphasized. The new AAP policy, updated for the first time in a decade, pushes for the wider community to engage in how youth interact responsibly online.
Madigan points to compelling evidence linking excessive screen use to cognitive and mental health issues in children, warning that "policy inaction is risking our children." The report suggests applying safety regulations similar to those for food or cars to digital media companies.
New Guidelines for a Digital Age
The updated policy provides specific age-based recommendations:
- No online activity for children up to 18 months old.
- Limit of one hour per day of high-quality, child-focused content for those aged two to five years.
For teenagers, where limiting device use is seen as unrealistic, the focus shifts to safe online conduct. "It's really about how they conduct themselves and interact online in a safe manner," said Madigan, noting teens can average eight hours daily online. She advises caregivers to actively set and monitor privacy, content, and time settings on devices.
Practical Steps for Families
Madigan offers concrete advice for parents to mitigate the risks of digital media in the home. She recommends enabling do-not-disturb settings on phones in children's bedrooms at night and having youngsters charge devices outside their bedrooms to prevent sleep disruption.
Despite awareness of guidelines, Madigan notes that only about a third of families are successfully implementing social media rules to protect their children. She describes digital platforms as "persuasively designed to digitally engage and algorithmically designed to capture our attention and keep us engaged as long as possible."
While acknowledging digital media can be used for good in moderation, Madigan warns we have reached a "digital tipping point where the risks may outweigh the benefits," necessitating a fundamental shift in how society manages youth interaction with technology.
