Lead researchers : Eve Pouliot, Marie-Ève Blackburn and Jacinthe Dion

Co-researchers : Sophie Beauparlant, Nadine Blanchette-Martin, Patrick Giroux, Marie-Ève Gonthier, Séverine Parent, Martine Pellerin et Suzie Tardif

Abstract : The COVID-19 pandemic increased screen use among young people, affecting their health and well-being. Deprived of in-person academic and social activities, they turned to screens to learn, socialize and entertain themselves. Excessive use, however — more than five hours a day outside of school-related activities — is associated with a range of health problems. Many parents voiced concerns about this rise in screen time, particularly regarding their children’s mental and physical health. In a post-pandemic context, it is essential to understand whether these behaviours have shifted and how parents now supervise their children’s screen use.

This project aims to develop innovative, evidence-based tools to help parents promote balanced screen use among their children aged 10 to 13. Three main objectives are pursued: (1) to describe post-pandemic screen use by young people, the positive and negative health consequences they perceive, and what they expect from adults in this regard; (2) to understand parents’ perceptions, needs and practices with respect to supervising screen use; (3) to co-create, test and disseminate at least three tools accessible to Quebec parents in order to foster responsible and healthy screen use.

The approach is participatory and collaborative, built around an innovation cell bringing together parents, young people, researchers and practitioners from school, community and institutional settings. The study will unfold over four years (2026–2030) in three components: (1) Understanding better — a mixed-methods survey will be conducted with a sample of parents and young people. Data will be collected through questionnaires and focus groups in order to explore perceptions of the consequences for overall health and the specific needs associated with screen use. (2) Developing better — drawing on the results of the first component, the innovation cell will work on concrete solutions and develop three tool prototypes adapted to family realities and parents’ needs. (3) Intervening better — the prototypes will be tested in real-world settings to assess their relevance and their impact on parenting practices. A dissemination plan will be developed with partners to maximize large-scale adoption.