'Phones are made to be addictive': How to limit your children’s screen time
Tablets, computers and cellphones can take a toll on children’s mental health.
However, there are some steps parents can take to help their kids avoid cyberbullying and dependence on screen time.
“When I think about the risks of cellphone use for mental health, I think we’ve got to have these conversations with our kids,” said Angela Taylor, Founder and CEO of Inspire Community Outreach, in an interview on Monday.
To get your kids off of their phones, Taylor said it’s helpful for parents to lead by example and take some time to put away their cellphones.
“Cellphones are made to be addictive. So we need to have these conversations,” Taylor said.
“It’s not about us telling our child, ‘You can’t do the things,” and then we’re doing them ourselves. It’s about modelling.”
Another impactful way to limit your child’s screen time is to put parameters around the amount of time they are allowed to spend on their phones, tablets and computers.
Instead of unlimited screen time, Taylor recommends looking for other ways to help your kids feel connected.
“Phones are made to be addictive, because they are made to be connected and our brains are wired for connection,” she said.
“We have to have other ways to feed that need or we will feel very sticky on grabbing our phone and being curious [about] what kind of notifications are there.”
When having conversations with your kids about these risks, Taylor said to make sure your kids know they can come to you about anything. She also recommends that parents check their kids’ devices.
“It is scary. We want to protect our kids. They’re everything,” she said.
For parents and caregivers trying to decide whether to give their child a cellphone, Taylor said there’s no perfect time, but every situation is different. She added that sometimes kids may need cellphones for safety reasons or to be able to contact their parents at certain times.
“Every family makes decisions that are best for them and families are the experts in what’s best,” she said.
- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Health Canada recalls multiple Rainbow Road Board books due to choking hazard
Health Canada has issued a recall notice affecting multiple Rainbow Road Board books due to a potential choking hazard.
U.S., India talking about Canada murder, no 'special exemption': Biden adviser
The U.S. is in touch with Indians at high levels after Ottawa said Indian government agents had links to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada, and Washington is giving India no 'special exemption' in the matter, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Thursday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set to arrive in Ottawa for first visit since war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to arrive in the national capital for his first official visit to Canada since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.
B.C. First Nation research finds 158 child deaths at four facilities
An investigation into unmarked graves and missing children by British Columbia's Sto:lo Nation has revealed at least 158 deaths, most of them at an Indigenous hospital.
Is a 'no-tipping' policy ready to be adopted by Canadian restaurants?
As Canadians report their frustrations with 'out-of-control' tipping culture, some wonder whether it is time to remove the option to tip at restaurants and is it even possible amid rising food costs?
Canadian-founded Rumble slams 'deeply inappropriate' inquiry from U.K. MPs on Russell Brand content
A Canadian-founded video platform which has found success among right-wing commentators says it will not be removing the ability for Russell Brand to monetize videos on their platform after receiving an inquiry on the subject from the U.K. government amid a wave of sexual assault allegations against the comic.
Law firm awarded $4.5 million contract for David Johnston foreign interference probe
A Toronto-based law firm was awarded a nearly $4.5 million contract to work on former special rapporteur David Johnston's ill-fated foreign interference probe.
Man admits to fatally poisoning Toronto toddler's breakfast cereal in 'obsessive' plot against married woman
A Toronto man has admitted to fatal poisoning of a toddler's breakfast cereal at a Scarborough residence in 2021 as part of an "obsessive" plot against a married woman.
'I don't know when we'll go': Travel plans upended amid fraying Canada-India ties
Members of the Indo-Canadian community are reeling after the Indian government suspended visa services for citizens of Canada, upending travel plans for those set on visiting the country but now caught in the crossfire of a diplomatic blowup.