Screen time taking a toll on Canadian youth, new data shows

Statistics Canada research shows young Canadians who exceed screen time recommendations are more at risk for poor mental health.

If it feels like Canadian teenagers are more tethered to their devices than ever, it is because they are, and new data suggests their mental health is paying the price.

A longitudinal study from Statistics Canada released Thursday tracked a cohort of youth, ages 12 to 17, from 2019 to 2023 to measure the impact of screen time on well-being.

The findings reveal a stark divide between those who follow screen time guidelines and those who do not.

According to the report, only 14 per cent of the study participants consistently met the recommended daily limit of two to three hours of screen time over the four-year period.

The consequences of exceeding those limits are significant.

Nearly 60 per cent of youth who stayed within the guidelines reported “excellent” or “very good” mental health.

For those who consistently exceeded the limit, that number plummeted to 38 per cent.

High screen use was also linked to higher stress, lower life satisfaction, and even lower grades.

The data arrives as the latest World Happiness Report shows Canada has slipped from 18th to 25th place globally.

Researchers are pointing to heavy social media use as a primary driver for the decline.

Christopher Barrington-Leigh, an associate professor at McGill University, called this an “unprecedented time” for young people.

“Youth who are becoming adults do not have a clear picture of what they’re supposed to do,” Barrington-Leigh said, noting that government policy and social structures are struggling to keep pace with technological change.

While Canada’s ranking falls, Finland remains the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year.

Experts say the secret to their success is rooted in physical, face-to-face connection.

“It’s because they are connected. They’re present with each other, they share meals together,” said Gillian Mandich, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Manitoba.

Mandich said the solution for Canadians is simple: slowing down and being more deliberate and conscious about device use.