Topic 8: Managing Screen Time for Children Aged 5 to 11 Years

Screens are a part of our everyday lives. There’s value in using them. However, as a parent, it’s important to control screen time. 
It is easy for a child to make poor use of screens and to gradually become dependent because: 

  • Their brains are still developing.
  • Children have little self-control.
  • Fun has a great hold over them.
  • Children are not sufficiently mature to understand what happens online and to end their screen time on their own when dealing with so much stimulation. 

Children need supervision to limit their screen time and guidance to learn how to properly use this technology. 

Here's a few tips:

The Impact of Screens

  • On mental health: lower self-esteem, anxiety, depression, stress, inattention, hyperactivity, etc.;
  • On physical health: sedentariness, obesity, lack of sleep, vision problems, posture issues, etc. ;
  • On social life and relationships: isolation, reduced social skills, safety risks, etc.  

Starting Point: Be A Good Role Model

Your child observes you constantly and immediately learns a lot with you. Therefore, your personal screen use at home has a significant impact on your child’s habits in the long term. 
It is important to question yourself about your own screen use in your life and in front of your children. Here are a few avenues for reflection: 

  • Do I look at my cell phone as soon as I wake up?
  • Do I read my emails and messages in front of my child?
  • Do I put my cell phone aside when spending time with my child or attending one of their activities?
  • Do I watch quality, useful content in my everyday life?

You can also gradually take back control by limiting your screen time and by focusing on quality content at appropriate times. 

Six Tricks to Find a Balance

1. Limit Screen Time

A maximum of 1 hour per day is recommended for children aged 2 to 5 years for all types of screens combined (tablet, television, computer, cell phone, video games). The Canadian Paediatric Society does not suggest any maximum time after children turn 5. Instead, it counts on a healthy use of screens that doesn’t impede children’s academic and physical activities, sleep, and social activities.

It is important to limit screen use among children aged 5 to 11 years to enable them to do other activities and to develop other skills. We recommend setting specific times for screen use in your family routine. 
For example: 

  • Weekday mornings: maximum 30 minutes of television after the morning routine is completed. You can even supervise the content during the week, such as educational content only or TV shows in French if you want your child to develop that skill.
  • Weeknights: Maximum 1 hour of screen time, all devices included.
  • Weekdays: Prohibition on playing video games except for special occasions. Doing so gives you a gateway to add rewards at appropriate moments.
  • Holidays: Maximum 1 hour in the morning. It is recommended to provide a specific time to prevent your child from waking up too early. Let your child choose the content that you will have taken the time to supervise. If the day goes well, an additional hour may be granted at the end of the day.

** Turn off the Wi-Fi at specific hours.

Let your child participate in this family contract, depending on their age. The child can provide ideas or choose priority content. The final decision rests with the parent.

2. Supervise

This requires time and availability from the parent. It is necessary to supervise, monitor, and intervene when the child fails to follow the rules. Plan rewards and consequences based on their compliance with the pre-established rules.
  
Practical advice:

  • Give a deadline before turning off the screen: “The screen is off in 10 minutes.” The child has time to prepare mentally and to finish what they started, not to mention avoiding an explosive response. 
  • Help your child to develop self-control by gradually enabling them to manage their screen time and notifying them only once the deadline is passed. 
  • Make sure your child watches quality content.
  • Request access codes: Before your child turns 14, it is normal for you have access to their content. You are not invading their privacy: You are taking care of them.
  • Encourage your child to use electronic devices in a shared space so that you can see which sites they are consulting. 
  • Check their online history. 
  • Do it in front of them: Your child needs to know you are supervising them. Be clear and transparent with your child.
     

3. Educate

The Internet contains a multitude of easily accessible information on every topic.  Children aged 5 to 11 need guidance to learn how to properly use online resources.

Teach them to privilege age-appropriate, positive content that benefits them. For example, conduct research on a topic or passion that interests them.

Inform them of the risks and precautions required to safely navigate online (what the child can publish, sites to avoid, respecting others and oneself, etc.).

Every single educational intervention you make helps your child to develop their critical thinking, which will guide them in making the right decisions in their quest for autonomy in adolescence.

                                           
What about social skills?
It is important for your child to learn to properly use of technology in the presence of others. For example, with friends or during a discussion, you need to put down the screen and look at the speaker. Being mindful in our relationships remains a skill to be developed for this era in which screens are an integral part of our lives.

4. Open up to communication

  • Your child has a great interest in video games or other technologies? Show interest in what they do and visit online. Ask questions about gaming and online preferences in a positive, judgement-free manner. 
  • Tell your child that it is normal to have difficulty putting screens aside (normalize rather than criticize).
  • Have discussions together to raise awareness of screen use at home. Make it a family challenge.
  • Openly discuss the appeal of screens and the need to maintain control.
  • Demand that your child request permission to use your cell phone or tablet. 
  • Parents who are separated should agree on rules to follow. One parent might forbid video games or cell phones at their home. It is up to you to discuss the matter and to respect each others’ rules.

5. Encourage zero screen time

  • Encourage a screen-time holiday one day a week:
  • Have a zero-screen space at home (e.g., the dining room table).
  • Have a technological curfew 1 hour before bedtime. The child must return electronic devices to the parent to prevent their use at night.
  • Set your cell phone aside. Leave it in another room and avoid carrying it with you.

6. Suggest activities outside screen time

Creativity and interest in other activities require boredom. Boredom is the motor to building an urge to do something else (which is more demanding than turning on a screen). 

  • Get your child moving outdoors.
  • Invite their friends over.
  • Encourage your child to learn to play a musical instrument.
  • Cook.
  • Do arts and crafts.
  • Pull out a board game.
  • Let your child find an activity to do on their own.
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