Screen Use in Elementary School-Aged Children

Screens are now an integral part of life for elementary school-aged children. They use them for learning, entertainment, communicating with friends, and accessing content.

Technology offers many benefits, and children at this age have the skills to make good use of them. They can read, understand complex stories, follow a storyline, and understand educational messages. High-quality, age-appropriate programs and websites can support learning by helping children learn new languages, explore other cultures, develop creative thinking, and strengthen reading and writing skills. At the same time, children ages 6–12 still need plenty of social interaction, physical activity, play, and creative activities. Screen use should therefore be balanced with social, educational, and physical activities.

Excessive or unsupervised screen use may negatively affect:

• Academic performance and concentration in school.
• Sleep quality.
• Eye health.
• Physical activity.
• Eating habits.
• Mental well-being.
• Social well-being.

So, how can you help children use screens in a healthy way? Here are our recommendations.

• Maintain a healthy balance: Make sure screen time is balanced with other activities, such as spending time with friends in person, playing sports, enjoying hobbies, and participating in activities that do not involve screens. Many children also benefit from structured activities, such as after-school programs, sports teams, or youth groups.
• Keep screens away from bedtime: Stop screen use at least one hour before bedtime, turn off notifications overnight, and keep phones and other screens out of the bedroom whenever possible. This can help children fall asleep more easily and enjoy uninterrupted sleep.
• Keep mealtimes screen-free: Make family meals a screen-free time for everyone in the household. Family meals are valuable opportunities for communication, and putting away phones, turning off the TV, and avoiding other screens helps encourage meaningful conversation.
• Take regular breaks: Encourage your child to take a break from screens at least once every hour, move around, and give their eyes a chance to rest.
• Start with a basic phone and delay getting a smartphone: For communication and safety, you may consider giving your child a basic mobile phone between ages 9 and 11, depending on their emotional maturity, sense of responsibility, ability to follow rules, and individual need for a phone. It is recommended to wait until at least age 13 before giving a first smartphone, and to introduce it gradually with clear rules and age-appropriate parental controls.
• Delay social media use: It is recommended to wait until at least age 15 before allowing independent use of social media for entertainment or sharing public content. Private messaging platforms may be considered from age 13, depending on the child's readiness, with clear rules, parental controls, and ongoing conversations about the content they view, the people they communicate with, and the accounts they follow. Keep in mind that frequent social media use may increase social comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), body image concerns, and emotional distress, especially during adolescence.
• Keep communication open: Even if your child is old enough to need less direct supervision, talk with them regularly about what they watch, who they communicate with, and how they feel about their online experiences. Reinforce online safety rules, especially for platforms that allow contact with strangers. Encourage critical thinking and create an open, nonjudgmental environment so your child feels comfortable telling you if they encounter inappropriate people or content.

Impact of Screens on Vision in School-Aged Children

Prolonged screen use by children—both during learning and leisure time, especially when viewing at close range—may lead to Computer Vision Syndrome (also known as Digital Eye Strain). Symptoms can include headaches, dry eyes, blurred vision, and eye fatigue. Heavy screen use may also contribute to Pediatric Dry Eye Disease.

To help protect children’s eyes, it is recommended to encourage and remind them to follow these practices:

• Follow the 20-20-6 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 6 meters away for 20 seconds.
• Maintain proper viewing distance: Sit more than 30 centimeters from the screen to reduce eye strain.
• Take movement breaks: Stand up and move the body every hour.
• Limit continuous screen use: Avoid uninterrupted screen viewing for more than one hour.
• Adjust screen brightness: Use the highest comfortable brightness during the day, and switch to night mode with warmer, less blue light in the evening.
• Encourage outdoor activity: Time outdoors in natural light supports eye health.

Cell Phone Radiation and Children’s Health in School Age

The effects of exposure to cellular radiation in children have not yet been fully studied. However, due to children’s increased sensitivity and their long expected lifetime of exposure, a precautionary approach is recommended.

Some helpful recommendations include:

• Set an example: During interactions with children—such as conversations, meals, and homework—put your phone aside. This also encourages children to do the same.
• Use headphones or speaker mode: Prefer wired headphones (not wireless) or speaker calls. The further the device is from the body, the better.
• Reduce exposure: Limit phone use during family and social events, before bedtime, and during meals.

More information on cell phone radiation

Parents’ Screen Use: A Key Influence

Even as children grow older, parental behavior continues to have a strong influence. Children who see their parents constantly on their phones tend to perceive this as normal behavior and expect similar permissions. When a child approaches a parent who is absorbed in their phone, they may feel that the phone is more important than they are.

Key points to consider:

• During meals and family conversations, parents should also put their phones aside.
• When parents use phones in the presence of their children, they are less available for interaction. Even in school age, children need to feel that an adult is present and listening. Phones should be put aside during conversations with children. If something requires immediate attention, explain briefly that you need to respond, and return to full attention afterward.
• Encourage children to come to you with questions or to talk about anything they found uncomfortable or concerning, without judgment or punishment.

In summary, while screens can be useful and enjoyable in elementary school age, it is important to maintain clear boundaries: up to two hours of recreational screen time per day, age-appropriate content, planned breaks, open discussion about what children watch, and a healthy balance between screen time and other activities. The goal is to help children use technology in a healthy and balanced way.