The increasing use of screens, such as televisions, smartphones, tablets and video games, has raised concerns about its impact on children’s social and emotional development. This article examines the main negative effects of screen use, such as social isolation, attention disorders and emotional difficulties, while addressing solutions to minimize these consequences.

Consequences of screen use on children’s social and emotional abilities:

  1. Social isolation: Excessive screen use can lead to social isolation in children. Spending long hours in front of a screen limits face-to-face interactions with peers and adults, which are essential for developing social skills. Children may become less inclined to take part in social activities, form interpersonal relationships and develop nonverbal communication skills. Social isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, sadness and anxiety in children, thereby harming their emotional development.
  2. Attention disorders: Excessive screen use is also linked to attention disorders in children. The constant visual and auditory stimuli from screens intensely demand children’s attention, making it difficult for them to concentrate on tasks that require sustained focus. These attention problems can affect children’s academic success and their ability to concentrate in non-digital environments. In addition, video games and interactive apps can promote instant gratification, which may lead to reduced patience and a diminished ability to delay gratification—skills that are important for children’s emotional development.
  3. Emotional difficulties: Excessive screen use can also lead to emotional difficulties in children. Violent or inappropriate media content can negatively impact children’s emotional development, increasing the risk of aggressive behaviors, fears and anxiety. Moreover, social networks can expose children to cyberbullying, which can lead to self-esteem problems, lack of confidence and depression. Children who spend too much time in front of screens may also develop media dependence, which can negatively affect their emotional well-being.

Some solutions and recommendations:

To minimize the negative consequences of screen use on children’s social and emotional skills, it is essential to set clear limits on screen time and promote a balance between digital and non-digital activities. It is recommended to limit screen time to reasonable amounts, taking into account each child’s age and developmental stage. Encouraging face-to-face interactions, promoting outdoor activities, fostering reading and creative play are also important recommendations to preserve children’s social and emotional skills.

The 3-6-9-12 rule*, developed by psychoanalyst Serge Tisseron, is a valuable guide for children’s screen use. This rule recommends not exposing children under 3 years old to screens, limiting screen use to 1 hour per day for children aged 3 to 6, 2 hours for children aged 6 to 9, and 3 hours for children aged 9 to 12. By following this rule, we help our children preserve their development, their health and their emotional balance. It is essential to promote varied and high-quality activities to allow them to grow harmoniously.

Excessive screen use can have harmful consequences on children’s social and emotional abilities. Social isolation, attention disorders and emotional difficulties are among the main negative effects observed. It is essential to raise awareness among parents, educators and society as a whole about the risks associated with excessive screen use. By limiting screen time, encouraging in-person interactions and promoting emotional awareness, we can help children develop healthy social and emotional skills for their future lives.