Protecting young children from screens: e-Enfance / 3018 calls for stronger prevention measures

1st July 2025

What if screens and digital usage were also the subject of prevention messages?

Screen prevention measures

During its hearing at the National Assembly as part of the TikTok Inquiry Commission, the Association made a strong proposal: Include visible and systematic prevention messages on all advertisements for digital devices and operator offers, as well as in digital content intended for or accessible to minors.

The e-Enfance / 3018 Association calls for greater awareness among families about the risks associated with screens: early exposure or overexposure, cyberbullying, impacts on mental and physical health, etc.

A health emergency: screens omnipresent from an early age

Scientific studies agree that these digital risks are detrimental to children's cognitive, emotional and relational development. Yet today, there are no warnings about these dangers in the media or advertising.

For the e-Enfance / 3018 Association, it is essential to clearly inform parents about the proper use of digital technology and to make age guidelines visible in order to promote gradual and appropriate learning. It is not a question of demonising screens, but of equipping families so that they can establish a healthy framework from the earliest years.

Regulation inspired by public health

The Association's proposal is in line with public health policy, similar to existing prevention messages for food, tobacco, alcohol and gambling. These warning labels would make it possible to:

Better inform adults who supervise children; ;
Promoting responsible digital education from an early age; ;
Limit the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to screens.

This initiative is based on the clear and systematic display of prevention messages on advertisements for digital tools, electronic equipment, operator offers and relevant content. It would also help to standardise the currently scattered recommendations, based on the recommendations of the WHO, the CSA and paediatricians.

What e-Enfance / 3018 actually offers

Include prevention banners in all relevant advertising media or content (advertisements for electronic equipment, promotion of digital platforms, audiovisual content intended for minors, etc.); ;
Raise awareness of the recommended ages of use; ;
Regulate advertising messages promoting digital content for young children; ;
Strengthen public policies with a view to protecting minors by incorporating this measure into legislation or regulations.

Because prevention is protection, e-Enfance / 3018 continues its commitment to promoting responsible digital technology that is appropriate for every age group.