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A commission of experts has submitted a comprehensive report to French President Emmanuel Macron, recommending stringent measures to regulate children’s access to screens. The report, which proposes around 30 measures, aims to mitigate the negative impacts of screen use on children’s health and development.
The commission, chaired by Dr. Amine Benyamina, a psychiatrist and addiction specialist, and Dr. Servane Mouton, a neurologist and neurophysiologist, was tasked with formulating scientific guidelines on children’s screen use. After four months of extensive research and consultations, the commission presented a nearly 150-page report detailing their findings and recommendations.
Key Recommendations
- No screens before age 3: The commission recommends that children should not be exposed to screens at all before the age of 3.
- Limited screen use before age 6: Screen use should be minimal and always supervised by an adult.
- No phones before age 11: Children should not be given mobile phones before they turn 11.
- No smartphones before age 13: Smartphones should only be introduced to children after the age of 13.
- No social media before age 15: Access to social media should be restricted until children are at least 15 years old.
These recommendations align with the principles advocated by Dr. Serge Tisseron in his “3-6-9-12+” campaign, which emphasizes age-appropriate introduction to digital technology.
Impact of Screen Use on Children
The commission highlighted several detrimental effects of excessive screen use among children, including sleep deficits, sedentary lifestyles, and increased risk of obesity and chronic diseases. The report notes that French households have an average of 10 screens each, exacerbating these issues.
Implementation and Regulation
To protect minors from inappropriate and potentially harmful content, the commission calls for technological solutions that safeguard children across all digital platforms. This includes enhanced regulations in schools, such as reinforcing the ban on cellphones in middle schools and establishing a “right to disconnect” for students between 7:00 PM and 7:30 AM.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expressed support for these recommendations, indicating a willingness to integrate them into the National Education system.
Parental Involvement and Support
Dr. Marie-Claude Bossière, a child psychiatrist and member of the Screen Overexposure Collective, praised the commission’s proposals as “very interesting” and relevant. She emphasized the importance of parental guidance and recurrent campaigns to educate parents on managing their children’s screen use.
Next Steps
President Macron has given the government one month to translate these recommendations into actionable policies. The establishment of an observatory to monitor screen use and a prospective council to address future technological challenges are among the proposed measures to ensure effective implementation.
The commission’s report represents a significant step toward promoting healthier digital habits among children and supporting families in navigating the challenges of the digital age.
