Media Use and Wellbeing

MediaSmarts’ research shows that on average, Canadian youth spend 1-2 hours per day using digital devices each weekday (not counting time spent using them for schoolwork) and more than three hours per weekend day. Average weekday screen time, therefore, falls just within the range recommended by the Canadian Pediatric Society’s Digital Health Task Force, though weekend screen time does not. Other research has found that more than a third (37 percent) of Canadian youth exceeded screen time recommendations in 2023. There are often significant differences, though, between how much time we think we’re spending on media and how much time we actually spend.

“We define digital wellness for young people as an intentional state of physical, mental and social health achieved through mindful engagement with the digital and natural environment.” Dr. Michael Rich, Digital Wellness Lab, Boston Children’s Hospital

Time spent using devices is one of parents’ top concerns when it comes to their kids’ digital lives – and is the number one source of conflict between parents and children relating to technology use. News articles that suggest all screen time is harmful also spread much more quickly and widely than those that report more nuanced findings.

For most young people (and adults), the strategies in the Building Better Tech Habits article will be enough to build a healthy relationship with screen devices.