Perceptions des parents au regard de l’usage des écrans de leur enfant âgé de 0 à 5 ans

A new French study entitled “Perceptions des parents au regard de l’usage des écrans de leur enfant âgé de 0 à 5 ans” was recently published by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec. A summary and citation are included below.

ABSTRACT

Background:
Excessive screen use among children aged 0–5 years is linked to developmental and health risks. Parents play a crucial role in shaping and regulating their child’s screen habits. This study by the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) aimed to synthesize current knowledge on how parents perceive their young children’s screen use, and how these perceptions influence family practices and barriers to healthy media habits. Because screen time typically involves sitting or reclining activities, it also represents a major source of sedentary behavior in early childhood, making parental influence particularly important for movement and activity patterns.

Methods:
A systematic narrative literature review was conducted, including peer-reviewed studies (2019–2024) from OECD countries. Seventeen studies (10 qualitative, 7 quantitative) were selected. Analysis was guided by the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behavior), categorizing parents’ perceptions according to their self-perceived motivations, abilities to regulate use, and situational opportunities. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). A scientific committee oversaw study selection and peer review.

Results:
Parents’ perceptions were highly diverse but showed recurring themes across studies.

• Motivations: Parents often allowed screen use to meet their own needs or obligations—such as keeping the child occupied (“screen babysitter”) or managing behavior (“screen reward”). They perceived both positive (learning, digital literacy, entertainment) and negative (reduced interaction, eye strain, dependency) consequences. Fatigue and guilt were common emotional reactions.

• Opportunities: Many viewed screens as an inevitable part of modern life. Social norms and the perceived necessity of digital exposure influenced decisions. Some parents used screens for practical reasons (e.g., video calls or mealtime management).

• Capabilities: Parents acknowledged their responsibility to model and regulate screen use but reported difficulty doing so due to time constraints, competing household duties, and children’s reactions to screen limits. Although many felt informed, few knew official recommendations for screen time.

Conclusions:
Parents’ beliefs, motivations, and perceived barriers significantly shape early childhood screen exposure. Because screen use often replaces physically active play, these perceptions also indirectly contribute to sedentary behavior patterns in young children. Family obligations and societal norms often outweigh awareness of risks. Effective public health interventions should move beyond parental education to create supportive environments that facilitate balanced screen use—recognizing that responsibility for healthy digital habits must be shared among parents, educators, health professionals, and policymakers.

CITATION

Bergeron-Gaudin, M.-È., (2025). Perceptions des parents au regard de l’usage des écrans de leur enfant âgé de 0 à 5 ans [Knowledge synthesis]. Institut national de santé publique du Québec. https://doi.org/10.64490/KZND6050

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on pexels