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Review
. 2023 May 16;28(3):184-202.
doi: 10.1093/pch/pxac125. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Screen time and preschool children: Promoting health and development in a digital world

[Article in English, French]
Michelle Ponti  1
Affiliations
Review

Screen time and preschool children: Promoting health and development in a digital world

[Article in English, French]
Michelle Ponti. Paediatr Child Health. .

Abstract

COVID-19 transformed the family media environment and spurred research on the effects of screen media exposure and use on young children. This update of a 2017 CPS statement re-examines the potential benefits and risks of screen media in children younger than 5 years, with focus on developmental, psychosocial, and physical health. Four evidence-based principles-minimizing, mitigating, mindfully using, and modelling healthy use of screens-continue to guide children's early experience with a rapidly changing media landscape. Knowing how young children learn and develop informs best practice for health care providers and early years professionals (e.g., early childhood educators, child care providers). Anticipatory guidance should now include child and family screen use in (and beyond) pandemic conditions.

Keywords: Development; Digital media; Health; Infant; Preschool child; Screen time.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts to disclose.

References

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