A recent study commissioned by Rogers has revealed that Canadian teenagers spend an average of 5.2 hours each day on their mobile devices. The findings indicate that nine out of ten young people surpass the two-hour daily screen time limit recommended by the Canadian Pediatric Society, raising concerns about the potential impact on mental health.
Understanding the Screen Time Phenomenon
Toronto performance psychologist Dr. Dana Sinclair emphasized the risks associated with excessive screen use. "A preoccupation with screentime can actually influence anxiety and depression," she said. "If you're always on your screen and you're thinking about what everybody else is doing, and what you should be doing, then yes, it becomes a mental health issue."
In response to these findings, Rogers launched The 5.2 Project on May 2 as part of their Screen Break initiative, a national five-year, $50-million program aimed at helping teens achieve a healthier balance with their devices. The project features a documentary-style video capturing three Greater Toronto Area teens in April, compiling their screen time into 5.2 hours of raw footage for their parents to watch and react to. A shorter 2:47 version is available on YouTube for public viewing.
An Eye-Opening Experience for Parents
Oshawa parent Jeff Gauthier, a youth psychotherapist, described the experience of watching his 15-year-old son Kaiden's screen time as eye-opening. Kaiden averaged 8.22 hours of daily screen use. "I was like, 'Oh, man, this is painful,'" Gauthier said. "Because I think they wanted experientially the parent to feel how much 5.2 hours is and I felt it. On one hand, I'm like, 'That's a lot of hours. That is surprising.' On the other hand, you see people walking around all over the place and their phone is like an appendage. Now it isn't about getting rid of it entirely. So it's not like we're going to eliminate it. But it is about, 'How do we balance it?'"
Gauthier noted that he had previously been concerned about his son's screen time but felt even more compelled to address it after the project. "I'm constantly like, 'Hey bud, you got to do something else. You've got to get off the phone. Do you have homework? How long have you been on the video game for?'" he said. He emphasized the importance of offering alternatives, such as board games, chess, or outdoor activities. "As a family we do board games right? And we taught him how to play Euchre when he was like five 'cause sometimes you need a fourth. And I taught him how to play chess. To his credit he plays rep hockey, which is an enormous commitment for a 15 year old. From September through April, you're usually looking at four to five nights a week."
Bridging the Perception Gap
The study also highlighted a significant disconnect between parents and teens regarding screen time. While nine out of ten parents believe youth spend too much time on their phones, only one in three teens agree that their screen time is a problem. Dr. Sinclair noted that this generation has grown up with smartphones, leading to a reliance on digital interactions at the expense of real-world relationships and outdoor experiences. "It is a problem," she said. "People don't advance themselves if they're always on a screen looking at what other people are doing. It's always at the expense of real social relationships right? It's mental clutter which prevents focus and action and increases tension."
In light of these concerns, Ontario is considering a social media and cellphone ban on school properties. Education Minister Paul Calandra stated in late April that most education ministers across the country agree that allowing students access to devices during school hours has not been beneficial. Both Gauthier and Sinclair support the idea of keeping phones out of classrooms but permitting their use before and after school.
Practical Alternatives to Screen Time
Dr. Sinclair offered practical advice for reducing screen time. "The best advice overwhelmingly is to just put it down, even for 20 minutes, even an hour, in class, at meals, keep it out the bedroom at bedtime," she said. She highlighted that exercise, green space, and yoga are the most effective self-interventions for improving mental health. "Adolescent mental health is being compromised and the most effective, best self-interventions for mental health, again the anxiety, depression, is to exercise, workout, walk, run, do 20 pushups, get into some green space, and do some yoga. Those are the actual top three that have been documented in studies. Exercise, get into green space, and yoga."
Gauthier echoed the need for a proactive approach from parents. "Our job (as parents) would be not only to bridge the conversation (but) then also offering suggestions. You've got to have a strategy. You can't just say, 'OK, get off your phone.' Well, then what? So for us it's going to be, 'Hey, how about we set up a game at the kitchen table?' Or I went out and I shot hoops with him last week. How do we encourage a balanced amount of behaviour?"
