Published on
Updated
Reading 3 mins.
support your child in their use of screens, while avoiding overexposure and the risks that result from it? This is the whole point of a digital parenting awareness campaign launched on February 8 by the government. A return to basic notions, but also welcome recommendations in the digital age.
Our children spend an average of 1h19 per day on digital equipment, compared to 2h07 on weekend days, and 96% of them have a screen or are exposed to it. These are the figures that emerge from a recent Ifop survey commissioned by the government in January 2023. A finding that is difficult to reverse as digital technology is an integral part of our lives and of the education of the youngest.
A source of concern for 9 out of 10 parents
However, the use of screens is not entirely without concern, for good reason. According to the same survey, only a minority of parents questioned (12%) said they were calm about their child’s screen consumption. 67% of them say they are vigilant on the subject and their main concern (42%) is related to the exposure of their child to potentially shocking content. Not to mention the questions about the possible consequences on health (sleep, cognitive development, etc.). So when parents feel overwhelmed, most resort to outright banning.
Support the use of screens rather than prohibit them
Rather than prohibit the use of screens, three ministries have joined forces to reflect together on a way “to support your child in using screens, with a view to digital parenthood” through the site jeprotegemonenfant.gouv.fr Thus, today, doing without a digital education is no longer possible. This is also not advisable. But the question of screens is not limited to a number of hours. It must become a central subject within the family, discussed together. Not sure how to approach the subject? The awareness campaign comes back on several points.
Five principles to integrate for reasoned use
For a healthier and safer use of screens, the campaign comes back to 5 ideas to put into practice:
- Avoid spending too much time yourself on a screen, on a smartphone for example. More than listening to their parents, children tend to imitate them. A reasoned use therefore already passes by itself;
- Discuss with your children about their use of screens and ask them regularly about the content they consume;
- Establish moments of sharing around the screens, with interaction. Share viewings, videos, discuss them with them, to make it a space for exchange;
- Do not forget the other family activities (museums, sports, walks, etc.). Screens should not be the center of family life;
- Stay informed of technological tools that limit the use of screens, such as parental controls.
Three mistakes to avoid too
Finally, the campaign looks back on mistakes that can be made on a daily basis which however go against a better education in digital ways.
- Do not give a time limit: on the contrary, good use of screens must be associated with a specific objective and over a given time;
- Leave access to screens in inappropriate spaces and times (at the table, in the children’s room, before bedtime);
- Disregard the child’s age. Each member of the siblings, on the contrary, must have rules according to their age. You should also know that it is better to avoid screens before the age of 3, avoid 3D viewing before the age of 5. And respect the ages indicated on the films and video games.