For several years now, screens have taken an important place in our daily lives. Time spent in front of the television, smartphone, or tablet has significantly increased, which is increasingly concerning parents—especially when it comes to their children. In this article, we explain how screens affect your little one’s development and share recommendations for balanced use.

What is the impact of screens on children?

Before the age of three, toddlers grow and develop through social interactions, exchanges with their environment, and the use of their five senses. Motor, cognitive, language, and spatio-temporal skills are acquired by playing, manipulating, and touching objects, and by interacting with you—helping your little adventurer understand the world around them. This time spent playing, moving, exploring, exchanging, and discovering is essential to children’s development and should not be replaced by screens for children under three years old. Screens can significantly affect a child’s development and may lead to problems that are not only physical, but also cognitive.

For example, some studies show that 30 minutes of screen time per day increases the risk of cognitive disorders. It can hinder the development of language and short-term memory. It can also lead to delays in development, especially in young children aged two to five years. Screens can also negatively affect the eyes, particularly due to blue light, which can cause dryness and may even contribute to the development of myopia.

The youngest children may experience sleep disturbances and have difficulty falling asleep after just twenty to thirty minutes of screen exposure. Moreover, discover our tips to help your little one fall asleep more easily in our article "". Beyond one hour per day, the risk of obesity also increases.

Older children and teenagers may experience attention disorders, poor social skills, and difficulties with emotional regulation, or even anxiety. The more a child is exposed to screens at a young age, the more likely they are to develop excessive use as they grow older.

What are the screen time limits by age?

For several years, the Higher Audiovisual Council (CSA) has been conducting numerous campaigns emphasizing "" no screen before 3 years ». Like the French Pediatric Association (AFPA), it discourages the use of screens for very young children and recommends following the markers 3-6-9-12 , established by psychiatrist Serge Tisseron.

Therefore, it is important to adapt screen use to your child’s age: no screens before 3 years old, no personal gaming consoles before 6 years old, no internet without supervision before 9 years old, and internet and social media use alone—and with caution—after 12 years old.

Moreover, each age has its own screen time limits, which include time spent in front of the television, smartphone, computer, tablet, and gaming console:

• Moins de trois ans : no screen

• Between three and six years : one hour per day maximum, in short sessions of twenty minutes

• Between six and nine years old : two hours per day maximum, in thirty-minute sessions

• Après dix ans : three hours per day maximum, in sessions of thirty to forty-five minutes

For children aged three to ten, screen use should take place near an adult.

How to limit screen time for your child?

To best support your little one in using screens, set clear rules and enforce them consistently. The first step is to avoid giving your child unrestricted access to screens—for example, by banning television in the bedroom. On your side, try to lead by example by reducing your own screen use, because the more your child sees you with a screen in your hands or in front of the television, the more tempted they will be. So, when your child is with you, put screens aside and turn off the television. Give your full attention to your little adventurer and share a special moment together.

Distract your little one from screens by offering activities like playing, reading stories, moving with a sports activity , going for a walk, or doing craft activities. These options are especially suitable for the youngest children and are essential for their development.

Passive screen use for children under three years old should be avoided as much as possible, especially since at this age, your little explorer does not learn from it. From age two, it can be an exception if it is short and interactive . Indeed, by watching a short cartoon with your little one and taking the time to comment on the story and discuss what is happening, you make the experience interactive. Some YouTube channels, such as the World of Titounis , offer short gym and yoga videos for toddlers, inviting your child to move and let off steam.

Rest assured: no one is perfect, and despite all our good intentions, screens are an integral part of our daily lives—as well as those of our children. You are not a bad parent if, while you take a shower, you let your three-year-old watch a cartoon. Moreover, many parents can confirm how useful a tablet can be from time to time for a well-deserved mini-break!

Nevertheless, it is important to stay aware of the influence you have on your little adventurer. The less they see screens, the less tempted they will be to use them. Therefore, be sure to offer your little one a variety of activities, games, and outdoor walks. :)