Overexposure, declining concentration, young people becoming increasingly sedentary... What are the guidelines for healthy and optimised digital education?
The presence of screens in our daily lives raises new issues related to education. e-Enfance supports minors, parents and education professionals by providing expertise and best practices. Safer Internet Day 2020, a European event held in February, served as a reminder of the advantages of screens in education, the risks to be avoided for young people and, finally, proposed a framework to support digital practices.
Recommendations from e-Enfance
Screen education is necessary for safe use and responsible behaviour. The role of e-Enfance is to guide minors, parents and professionals towards best practices and to participate in the development of civic-mindedness on the Internet. With the Net Ecoute platform, we advise parents.
- Video games //
- Screen time
- Risks of exposure to pornography
- Online challenges
- Health risks
- Installing parental controls
We also recommend using parental controls on all accessible devices to avoid any risk of exposure to pornographic images, violent content or problematic in ideas
Recommendations for use:
- Avoid screens before the age of 3.
- Limit video game consoles before the age of 6, as games are rarely suitable for younger children.
- Supporting children's first experiences of the Internet, around the age of 9.
- Supervise access until at least age 12, then remain vigilant.
The CSA also recommends limiting screen time for children according to their age. Parents should set an example by controlling their own consumption during family time to encourage children to follow suit.
Children's programmes and video games can be adapted to support healthy child development. However, they must be monitored and should not replace moments of play and intimacy between parents and children. It is important for their development to encourage reading and other types of games.
There is an easy rule to remember... the 4-step rule.
- Not in the morning
- not during the meal
- not in the bedroom
- not before going to bed
Practices to be encouraged
- Combining screen gaming with physical activity : exergames (active video games combining cognitive and physical exercises) are booming, providing a fun and attractive form of physical activity. Exergaming is equivalent to a real sports session and allows you to exercise with minimal space and equipment.
- Developing reflexes through video games Several studies show that regular video gaming improves reflexes, as well as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and learning ability.
- Child development through appropriate television programmes High-quality content that is suitable for television encourages reflection and helps children develop their vocabulary.
- Spend some time with the children to get to know them and see the contents of their The challenge I'm telling you about, what I saw, what I understood... The content will become relevant depending on what it conveys (avoid passive consumption, give meaning), restore communication between parents and children.
Vigilance regarding risks
- Effects on sleep and quality of rest : Blue light from screens can cause sleep and concentration problems.
- Risks of being overweight: Time spent in front of screens should not replace all physical activity. Combined with increased food intake and reduced sleep quality, this can lead to weight gain. Furthermore, the screen prevents you from realising when you are full.
The important thing when using screens is to maintain a balance in your life and to know when to stop.
Screen time / ability to disconnect / maintaining dialogue / critical thinking skills
A child with addictive tendencies may develop mood swings, insomnia, and nervous breakdowns if their consumption is not controlled.
To learn more about video games and how to use them properly, e-Enfance provides news articles for parents.
If you have any questions, our Net Ecoute platform can also answer your questions on 3018, on our website. or on Messenger. 3018 is a free, anonymous and confidential service.
