Quebec finally gives up tightening the screws on schools regarding the use of screens in school daycare services and focuses more on prevention, learned Le Journal.

• To read also: Towards a better supervision of screens in primary school

In September, the Minister for Health and Social Services, Lionel Carmant, indicated that he was considering limiting screen time in school childcare services, following a day of consultation on the use of screens among young people.

"We're going to have to make a clear intervention" in this regard, he said.

However, the Quebec Strategy on the use of screens and the health of young people, which will be made public shortly and of which Le Journal has obtained a copy, rather provides for the development of a "frame of reference" which will be intended for "educational circles ".

Its content will "guide stakeholders to best practices," it says.

Work to do

Minister Carmant denies not being proactive enough in this regard. "What Public Health is telling us is that we don't have enough information and we need to do more research before we go with such drastic measures," he said. the newspaper.

The action plan, which focuses on promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness, aims first and foremost to support families who are wondering how to manage their child's screen time, says Mr. Carmant. "That's one of the first goals," he says.

Guides and tools will be available. Awareness campaigns are also planned.

No screen before 2 years

This strategy also serves as a reminder that no screen time is recommended for children under the age of two.

"We want everyone to be aware that from 0 to 2 years old is really to be avoided, except in very specific situations," said the minister.

Screen time supervised by a teacher or parent is also "different" from screen time spent alone, he adds.

"You really have to accompany your child and supervise him, [you have to] leave him alone in front of the screen as little as possible and also make sure that you show the example, as a parent," says Mr. Carmant.

Over the next three years, $16.5 million will be allocated to raise awareness, increase services and fund research on the subject.

To those who consider that this strategy does not do enough to regulate the use of screens, the minister retorts that there is no consensus among the experts: “This is an important problem. Our goal is to support parents and teachers, not to replace them. »