Centre for Healthy Screen Use aims to support children, youth and families

OTTAWA – Helping children and youth use digital media safely, deliberately, and appropriately is the goal of a virtual centre launched by the Canadian Paediatric Society this week.

The Centre for Healthy Screen Use offers health professionals, families, communities, and policy makers evidence-based guidance and resources to help them support children and youth.

“Digital media are part of the life of virtually every Canadian child and youth, and screens are introduced at increasingly younger ages,” said Dr. Michelle Ponti, chair of the CPS Digital Health Task Force.

“What happens in these digital spaces—whether educational or social—can affect almost every aspect of children’s lives: mental and emotional well-being, physical health, behaviour and development. Using digital media has potential harms as well as benefits, so it is critical that policies and practices support the safe and healthy use by children at all ages and in all contexts.”

The CPS has been concerned with children and screens since 1990s, when it published its first guidance document to help health professionals counsel families about media use—mostly television. Since then, the CPS has produced position statements on screen use among very young children as well as school-aged children and youth. Two additional guidance documents are in progress, addressing social media and youth mental health, and screen use by children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Through the bilingual Centre for Healthy Screen Use, the CPS will work with an Advisory Board and other organizations to foster a coordinated and collaborative approach to the complex problem of how digital media affect the health and well-being of children and youth. The Centre will provide a space for experts and advocates in health, education, and social sciences to work together, and develop and curate tools and resources for education and public policy change.

The Canadian Paediatric Society is a national professional association, representing nearly 4000 paediatricians and health professionals, that advocates for the health needs of children and youth.

Funding for the Centre is generously provided by The Waltons Trust, a limited life grantmaking foundation.

-30-