Which of us has not, one day, seen a young child on the metro or in a public park watching in vain for the gaze of an adult who has eyes only for their mobile phone? This situation is now so common that it can seem as inexorable as global warming. But must we really put up with it? Several studies published in 2019 in the United States indicate that it is not without dangers.
These studies have indeed shown three things.
- A parent who uses their smartphone while talking or playing with their child speaks in shorter sentences and responds with poorer facial expressions to the child’s overtures. The result is a delay in learning in the verbal and facial-gestural domain similar to that of a child left alone in front of a screen.
- A child who perceives their parent as barely responsive to their expectations has difficulty building a secure attachment, with possible consequences throughout life.
- Finally, in public parks, a child whose companion is absorbed in their mobile phone tries to capture their attention by every possible means, and runs an increased risk of accident.
“No screens before 3” also concerns parents in their relationship with their child.
Our poster “Your child needs your gaze: don’t let a screen come between you” was designed to remind everyone of this.
Share it widely!
ST
Serge Tisseron is a psychiatrist, doctor of psychology with accreditation to supervise research, member of the Academy of Technologies, and associate researcher at Université de Paris (CRPMS).
