A year ago, the French president requested guidelines for children’s screen use from experts in child psychiatry and neurology after recent research showed that excessive screen time can impair cognitive and emotional development, verbal expression, communication, and attention span. The experts compiled a 142-page report recommending restrictions on screen use for children.
The report suggested that children under 11 should avoid cell phones, those between 11 and 13 should not have internet access on their phones, and access to social media should be limited until the age of 18. For children up to the age of six, the report recommended limited screen time with educational content only when supervised by an adult. Screens were advised to be completely banned in kindergartens and individual digital devices in primary schools unless necessary due to a specific disability.
The negative effects of screens on intelligence, cognitive functions, concentration, vision, and metabolism in children were highlighted by the experts. Studies have shown that excessive screen time can lead to sensory overstimulation, addiction, exposure to inappropriate content, decreased motivation for age-appropriate activities, restlessness, and difficulty in social interactions. Child psychologists emphasize the negative impact of screens on sleep
