Rogers Launches National Program to Reduce Youth Screen Time
Rogers is taking action to address the growing concern of excessive screen time among youth, as revealed by a recent study. The study, commissioned by the telecommunications giant, discovered that children aged 11 to 17 are spending more than five hours daily on their phones, far surpassing the recommended two-hour limit by the Canadian Paediatric Society.
Despite this alarming trend, only one in three young individuals perceive their screen time as problematic, unaware of the negative impact on their mental, physical well-being, and overall development. In contrast, a staggering 90% of parents acknowledge that their children spend too much time on screens, underestimating the average screen time by over an hour and a half.
To combat this issue, Rogers is introducing a new national initiative called Screen Break, investing $50 million over five years. This comprehensive program comprises four key components: parental tools, youth programming, research and partnerships, and education and advocacy.
Tony Staffieri, President and CEO of Rogers, emphasized the importance of balancing connectivity with healthy screen habits, stating, “Excessive screen time is a real concern for our customers. We aim to assist tweens and teens in enjoying the benefits of connectivity while recognizing the need for screen breaks.”
The parental tools feature a section within the Rogers Xfinity app, enabling parents to set time limits and monitor their children’s app usage. Additionally, a national in-school program will involve professional athletes discussing the importance of healthy screen use with students and organizing “Unplug and Play” events.
Further, grants will be provided to four national youth organizations, such as the YMCA, promoting active living. Research efforts will include an annual study on youth screen time and a partnership with Dais, a public policy think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University, to instill healthy digital habits among youth.
Renowned athletes like George Springer, Connor McDavid, and others will participate in educational videos, advocating for balanced screen time habits. The initiative aims to engage both parents and youth in fostering a healthier relationship with technology.
The initiative follows a recent poll conducted among 1,213 parents and 513 children aged 11 to 17, with a margin of error of +/- 2.8% for parents and +/- 4.4% for children, conducted by the Angus Reid Forum.