Elementary kids should take screen time breaks every 30 minutes: P.E.I. guideline

Prince Edward Island is recommending school-age children take regular breaks from their screens in a new draft guideline.

The guideline, which was developed in collaboration with Dr. Travis Saunders from the University of Prince Edward Island, recommends students ages five to 11 take screen breaks at least once every 30 minutes to stretch or move.

The guideline also says students ages 12 to 18 should take at least one break every hour for movement.

“While screens are present everywhere in our lives, it is our responsibility to help young people develop smart screen use behaviours that positively benefit their learning and wellbeing,” said Rob Lantz, minister of Education and Early Years, in a news release. “Providing our educators with best practices as well as tips and tricks will give them the knowledge and flexibility to choose when and how they use screens in the classroom. Technology can be a powerful learning tool, and we want to ensure that young people are equipped to make healthy, balanced decisions.”

The guideline notes excessive screen time for school-age children can cause:

-poor posture

-eye strain and vision problems

-impaired social skills due to a lack of face-to-face communications

-delayed language skills

-reduced attention spans

-addiction and overdependence

-heightened stress and anxiety

The guideline says educators should model healthy screen use by ensuring it has a defined purpose and avoiding the passive use of screens.

“Educators (should) set assignment due dates for early evening to avoid screen use right before bedtime,” the guideline says. “Teach students to recognize the signs of problematic screen use and support them in setting personal screen limits, focusing on physical activity and offline play.”

At the start of this school year, P.E.I. banned the use of cellular devices in classrooms. Teachers can allow students in Grades 7 to 12 to use devices in class for educational reasons.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.