While they have interfered everywhere in our daily lives, screens today raise multiple questions. Computers, tablets and mobile phones are notably accused of permanently altering the children’s capacities, to the point that former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and the child psychiatrist Marcel Ruffo are demanding a “state of emergency against screens”. But how to supervise their use in the private sphere? And what are the risks incurred by our children? Professor Bruno Falissard, psychiatrist, answers us.
No screen “before the age of 6”
In a text addressed to the government, several leading medical institutions – including the French Public Health Society, the French Society of Psychiatry of the Child, the French Ophthalmology Society, the French Pediatric Society and the French -speaking Society of Health and Environment – have united their votes to alert the dangers linked to the early and excessive exposure of children to the screens. According to these health professionals, toddlers must not be exhibited there before primary school-or around 6 years old.
“In 2025, doubt is no longer allowed and the very many international scientific publications are there to remind us: neither screen technology, nor its content – including those allegedly educational – are adapted to a small development brain. The child is not an adult in miniature: his needs are different”say the signatories.
All rely on a large number of scientific studies to denounce the worrying effects of screens on the physical and mental health of the youngest: attention disturbances, language delays, eye problems, sleep disorders, social isolation …
“The consequences of early and prolonged exposure to screens are proven and have already impacted a young generation sacrificed on the altar of ignorance“, Claim scientists.
However, in practice, if the former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and the child psychiatrist Marcel Ruffo offer several measures-notably the creation of an “addict score” or even a “digital curfew”-completely deprive children under six years of screens seems difficult to achieve. Professor Bruno Falissard, child psychiatrist, shares his point of view on the issue.
“We have sufficiently solid data”
Faced with a phenomenon whose consequences are still largely overlooked, the role of the public authorities is immense.
“”Why, when we alert as much about the potential risks of glyphosate (while its usefulness is proven and facilitates the work of farmers), do we not emphasize the dangers of screens? Aside from perhaps to give parents some respite, the risk of children’s health is indeed proven. We can therefore only question: what public situation is tolerated – without real benefits – but with proven risks?“, Indigines the professor.
On the risks involved in children, the child psychiatrist is also categorical.
“We have sufficiently solid data to be able to feel responsible for taking a position. A meta-analysis published in Jama Psychiatry has studied risks (attention deficit, etc.) related to exposure to screens in children from 0 to 12 years old. The results have shown low but significant effects. 75 % of young children are indeed exceeded the recommended exposure levels …“, He alerts.
Finally, to the question “How really to banish the screens of French households?”, Professor Bruno Falissard is rather optimistic. “”When we address parents, many listen to us … because many of them simply seek to act for the well-being of their children“He said before concluding:”A young child needs human relationships – songs, drawing, sport, artistic activities … He is built in this humanity, and that is what will allow him to make society later.“”
