Safe and Healthy Digital Technology Use | Huron Perth Public Health

Screen time refers to time spent with any screen, including smart phones, tablets, television, video games, white board, computers or wearable technology.

Digital media refers to content transmitted over the Internet or computer networks on all devices, unless particular ones are specified.

Digital technology and media are integrated into our everyday lives. We can learn to be conscious of our screen time choices. Educators can learn more about making informed decisions about screen time, fostering a balanced and health-conscious learning environment. By promoting active engagement, reducing sedentary time, and providing tools for self-regulation, we can equip students for success both in and out of the classroom. Excessive screen time for school-age children can have several physical, mental, and social impacts.

Recommendations for Screens and Digital Media

Daily Physical Activity in the classroom toolkit | Western University
Digital media: Promoting healthy screen use in school-aged children and adolescents | Canadian Paediatric Society
Internet Safety Resources | Ophea. Free online resources that provide opportunities for parents/guardians/caregivers to reinforce and deepen the concepts of internet safety.
Reducing Sedentary Behaviour: Recommendations and Implementation Steps | PHE Canada

Teaching Resources

Connect Quest | School Mental Health Ontario. Activities to help support students in health choices about device use.
Digital Citizenship Resources for Educators | Huron Perth Public Health. Collection of ice breakers, lesson plans and resources aimed at grade 4-6 students.
Digital Literacy 101 | Media Smarts. Supports teachers in implementing digital literacy into their teaching practice and helps them to develop digital literacy lessons and activities that suit their students' needs.
For Educators | Common Sense. Lesson plans, resources and professional development on a variety of topics including artificial intelligence, online safety, and digital literacy and citizenship.
Media Literacy Week and Digital Citizen Day | Media Smarts. National event in October to promote digital media literacy, with activities and events taking place in classrooms, libraries, museums and community groups across Canada. Find teaching plans, posters and resources in the teacher's hub.
Online child sexual exploitation resources for educators | Public Safety Canada. Presentations, videos, fact sheets and posters to raise awareness about the topic with students and help prevent it from happening.
Use, Understand & Engage: A Digital Media Literacy Framework for Canadian Schools | Media Smarts. Access digital media literacy classroom resources aligned with provincial curriculum outcomes.