不良研究所

Screen time is one of the most widely discussed parenting issues in today鈥檚 digital world. Headlines warning about the dangers of excessive screen use appear regularly, often presenting the issue in stark terms. Yet the research tells a far more nuanced story. 

Screen time and social media use among kids and teens are common and legitimate concerns for many parents and caregivers and , a professor of psychology in the , is often asked to share her evidence-based perspective. Madigan, who will be speaking on this issue at the upcoming on June 9, emphasizes that there is no simple or universal answer. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 not a black-and-white issue,鈥� says Madigan, PhD, a Tier I Canada Research Chair in Child Mental Health and Wellbeing. 鈥淥ne of the problems we face as researchers is that we鈥檙e often asked to take one side or the other, which creates a polarized debate in the field, and makes it really confusing for parents. It requires a more nuanced approach, and that nuance is often lost in the broader conversation.鈥�  

Madigan points to the 鈥淕oldilocks hypothesis,鈥� which suggests that, while excessive screen time can be harmful for children鈥檚 development and mental health, so too can a complete ban on screen use.

鈥淢ost adolescents now communicate through apps like Snapchat and other messaging platforms,鈥� Madigan explains. 鈥淪ome teens without smartphones struggle because they鈥檙e not able to stay in touch with their friends. There鈥檚 this whole universe of communication that they鈥檙e not a part of, and as a result, they can feel left out, which also affects their mental health.鈥� Current research suggests the healthiest approach to screen time may lie somewhere in the middle, with moderation playing an important role.

鈥淏ut that鈥檚 very developmentally specific,鈥� Madigan is quick to add. She stresses that these findings are highly dependent on age and developmental stage. 鈥淚n the case of the Goldilocks hypothesis, we鈥檙e talking about adolescents 鈥� but we don鈥檛 have the same evidence or framework for younger children.鈥� 

Madigan鈥檚 research explores child mental health, parenting and parent-child relationships, with digital media and screen use playing a big role in her work. Earlier this year, the released a new on screen time; Madigan was the only Canadian contributor, a credit to her expertise in this area of research. 

When it comes to screen time, she says, not all use is created equal. 鈥淭hree hours of screen time on a smartphone may be very different for toddlers versus teens,鈥� Madigan says. 鈥淵ou really must consider a child鈥檚 age and developmental stage.鈥� 

For younger children, higher levels of screen time are more concerning. 鈥淐hildren under two generally don鈥檛 learn new words and skills from watching screens,鈥� Madigan explains. At this age, they are rapidly developing foundational skills, like learning to talk, walk, and communicate, and, when they鈥檙e on screens, they鈥檙e missing opportunities to practice and master these important developmental milestones. 

鈥淢any corporations have promoted the idea that children can become more intelligent by watching screens, but the evidence doesn鈥檛 support that 鈥� especially for very young children,鈥� she says. 鈥淔or children over the age of two, there can be some small benefit, especially if the content is educational or if caregivers are actively supporting learning by explaining what the child is seeing.

鈥淣othing replaces face-to-face caregiver-child interaction though 鈥� kids learn best from people, not screens.鈥�

It鈥檚 also common for "screen time" and "social media" to be discussed interchangeably. 鈥淎s researchers, we need to disentangle those two things,鈥� says Madigan. 鈥淪creen time can include many things. It can include social media, yes, but it can also be used for gaming or watching movies or shows.鈥� The type of screen use matters significantly; there鈥檚 a big difference between a young person passively scrolling on social media for hours compared to sitting with a family member to enjoy a movie together. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of value in having a shared experience around screens, together, because it can promote a sense of connection.鈥� 

Co-viewing and shared engagement were key elements in the paediatric guidelines Madigan helped develop. The recommendations also emphasized the importance of the broader 鈥渄igital ecosystem鈥� surrounding children and adolescents. 鈥淪creens are completely embedded in our society,鈥� says Madigan. 鈥淚t can鈥檛 just be the responsibility of parents to think about this. Schools, educators, policymakers, researchers and communities all have a role to play in creating healthy boundaries and supporting children in digital environments.鈥� 

Researchers from a vast landscape of disciplines can contribute important insights into this topic, including psychology, sociology, education, social work, communications and various fields of medicine. The work of researchers and experts plays an important role in this ongoing conversation. As digital technologies become increasingly integrated into everyday routines, Madigan believes thoughtful, evidence-informed conversations will remain essential.

Owerko Centre Conference addresses complex issues

The Owerko Centre Conference will bring together researchers, faculty, trainees, and community members representing a broad spectrum of disciplines and perspectives, examining some of the most complex issues that today鈥檚 families are navigating.  

鈥淔amilies today are navigating incredibly complex issues,鈥� says , PhD, director of the . 鈥淭his conference brings together leading researchers and community voices to share evidence-informed perspectives and practical insights that can help support children and families in meaningful ways.鈥�

Madigan and Graham will be joined by leading researchers and community experts for a full day of engaging talks and discussion. 

• Dr. Francis Vergunst, DPhil/PhD, will join remotely from the University of Oslo to present Climate Change and Children鈥檚 Mental Health: What Does the Evidence Show?
• Dr. Ripudaman Singh Minhas, MD, will join from the University of Toronto to discuss Co-Creating Trust in a Digital Age: Community Engagement Lessons from Our Kids鈥� Health.
• Dr. Suzanne Tough, PhD, professor in Paediatrics and Community Health Science at U不良研究所, will lead a panel discussion exploring the role of community in supporting children and families. Panellists will include Dr. Sheri Madigan, Dr. Ripudaman Singh Minhas, Sara Austin from , and Pam Krause from the . 

Registration for the Owerko Centre Conference is open until June 2. Additional information and registration details are available through the .