Centre for Healthy Screen Use

Evidence-based guidance in a digital world

The aim of the Canadian Paediatric Society’s Centre for Healthy Screen Use is to support health professionals, policymakers, and families in helping children and youth navigate digital environments. 

People who make decisions that affect children and youth—in homes, schools, heath care settings, communities, and public policy spaces—need current evidence to prioritize health and development. Thoughtful and informed decision-making will help promote healthy screen use and minimize the negative effects on child and youth physical, mental, social-emotional, and developmental health.

Funding for the Centre is generously provided by The Waltons Trust, a limited life grantmaking foundation.

About the Canadian Paediatric Society

Founded in 1922, the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) is a voluntary professional association that represents almost 4000 child and youth health professionals: paediatricians, paediatric subspecialists, paediatric residents, and others. The CPS is governed by an elected Board of Directors representing all provinces and territories.

In June 2024, the CPS announced its priorities for the coming three years, expressing  what we believe to be among the most urgent issues facing children and youth in Canada. These are problems that require a sustained, multi-faceted, and collaborative approach, and where the CPS can make a difference:

• Child and youth mental health
• Environmental health
• Paediatric workforce

Screen use is one area of focus under child and youth mental health. Frequent, intensive use of digital media by children and youth can influence health and development, and mental health in particular. Screens are ubiquitous in the lives of children and youth and in most places where they live, learn, and play. Young people must be protected from potential harms associated with digital media use, which can outweigh its many benefits for enhanced learning and development.