The experts write in the report, which was commissioned by the French government, that they are “shocked” by their findings. “There is a very clear consensus about the negative effects – direct and indirect – of spending a lot of time looking at a screen and the associated sedentary lifestyle,” it said. This concerns negative consequences for the sleep quality of children, obesity, “or even myopia”.
The experts call social media “a risk factor for depression or anxiety”, especially in children with a “pre-existing vulnerability”. “In addition, the level of children’s exposure to pornographic and violent content appears alarming.” According to the experts, screen viewing is not the cause of neurodevelopmental disorders, but they do call for vigilance to “prevent the amplification of such symptoms.”
“Predatory companies”
The committee is also not pleased with the strategies of some companies to attract the attention of children. “We are shocked by what we saw, by the strategies to get children’s attention. Cognitive reflexes are used to lock children to their screens, control them, re-engage them, and generate income,” said neurologist and committee chair Amine Benyamina. “Predatory services from some companies – such as infinite scrolling or automatically starting videos – must therefore be combated.”
“Children suffer from the reality of hyper-connectivity,” it continues. “The consequences are major: not only for their health, their development, and their future, but also for the future of our society and our civilization.”
Drastic measures
To “regain control”, the experts are calling for drastic measures: they recommend the French government to prevent any use of screens by children under three years old as much as possible. For example, through a ban on mobile phones and televisions in maternity wards, and a ban on computers and televisions in daycare centers and kindergartens. For children between three and six years old, only “very limited access” should be allowed, and then only “with educational content, and accompanied by an adult.”
According to the report, children should only have their own telephone from the age of 11, and a smartphone with internet only from the age of 13. Access to social media should only be allowed from the age of 15, and then only if it concerns “ethical” companies.
