There are legal ages for driving, drinking, etc., but why not on technology? Research concludes that screen time for young children is detrimental to their health. Legal ages are set in place in order to protect and benefit the individual. If technology is so bad for children, why are they allowed to use it?

1. By: Michelle Buttigieg
Should there
be a legal
age for
technological
use?

2. Age 0-2: NO TECHNOLOGY
Age 3-5: ONE HOUR OF
TECHNOLOGY PER DAY
Age 6-18: TWO HOURS OF
TECHNOLOGY PER DAY
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics
and the Canadian Society of Paediatrics:

3. Age 0-2
Photo by Dave Lawler - Creative Common License via Flickr
Stimulation of the brain
results in:
• attention deficit
• cognitive delay
• impaired learning
• decreased ability to
self-regulate (e.g.
tantrums)

4. “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder affects
about 5% of the school-age
population and contributes to poor
school performance, conduct disorders, and
difficulties in family and friend
relationships.” (Statistics Canada, 2013)

5. “Most preschoolers don't
know how to tie their
shoelaces but they can
understand—as if by
osmosis—how to use the
latest electronic
gadget.” (Rosen 2011)

6. Children with a device in their
bedroom…
30%
chance of
obesity

7. Technology overuse can result in…
depression
anxiety
attachment disorder
bipolar disorder
problematic child behaviour

8. “The most common form of cyber-bullying involved receiving threatening or aggressive e-
mails or instant messages, reported by 73% of victims.” (Government of Canada, 2012)

9. What about
technology’s
teaching abilities?

10. Parents over-estimate the amount of
learning their child receives from media devices.
Photo by SSG Adam Mancini Creative Commons License via Flickr

11. Children learn best
within a no-video
condition in which
parents teach
their children the
same words during
everyday activities.

12. Provide your children with the opportunity to
learn about the physical environment
before the virtual environment.

13. Therefore, should there
be a legal age for
technological use?

14. At which age technology is introduced to children
should be up to the discretion of parents.

15. Technology is unavoidable, it is everywhere.

16. The reality: Children will be exposed to
technology in their daily life and must become
eLiterate in order to function in society.

17. The difference:
How technology is
introduced and
how it is used at
home.

18. Photo by National Cancer Institute Creative Commons License via commons.wikimedia.org
Tip 1: MODERATE. Encourage family conversation
during meals by turning off ALL technology.

19. Tip 2: MONITOR
your child’s use of
technology,
especially at an
early age.

20. Tip 3: TEACH your
children that technology
is okay! It is an
incredible resource to
use and an advancement
that improves
communications.

21. Baby Centre (2013). Retrieved from: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a25006035/is-screen-time-good-or-bad-for-
babies-and-children
!
DeLoache,Judy S., Chiong,Cynthia, Sherman,Kathleen, Islam,Nadia, Vanderborght,Mieke, Troseth,Georgene L.,
Strouse,Gabrielle A., O’Doherty ,Katherine. (2010). Retrieved from: http://www.google.ca/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F
%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Fpublication%2F46381419_Do_babies_learn_from_baby_media%2Ffile
%2Fe0b495283d8237df09.pdf&ei=vKh6U_TtMY6PyATmnICYDg&usg=AFQjCNFRy_maxo-
HN4IfCUqmgaPOeqR61A&sig2=aXmOCNHpn424beILod-iHg
!
Government of Canada. (2012). Retrieved from: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/45838.html
!
Rosen, Margery (2011). Retrieved from: http://www.parents.com/fun/entertainment/gadgets/is-technology-good-
for-little-kids/
!
Rowan, Cris (2014). Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cris-rowan/10-reasons-why-handheld-
devices-should-be-banned_b_4899218.html
!
Statistics Canada. (2013). Retrieved from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-619-m/2012004/sections/sectionc-
eng.htm
Sources