UBCO and community partners share findings and strategies for healthy use.

What: Screen Time and Young Children: What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know
Who: UBCO researchers, Project Literacy and Childhood Connections
When: Wednesday, November 27 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. or 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Hollywood Rd. Educational Services, 1040 Hollywood Rd. (morning), and Kelowna Innovation Centre, 460 Doyle Ave. (evening)

Technology is everywhere—including on the minds of parents and caregivers who are struggling to balance screen time with other activities for their young children.

According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, children between the ages of two and five should use screens for less than one hour a day. To examine this issue locally, a UBCO research study was funded by Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society and Childhood Connections. Matching funding was provided by Mitacs.

The study was led by Susan Holtzman, associate professor in psychology. On November 27, the community is invited to join UBCO researchers and members of Project Literacy and Childhood Connections for a discussion on caring for young children in an age dominated by screen time.

It’s a fascinating area of research that is relevant to so many families,” says Holtzman. “Parents’ roles are constantly evolving, there are always new challenges. Figuring out a healthy amount of screen time is one of them.

There are two presentations; one in the morning and a second that evening. The events will feature preliminary results from a recent survey of Okanagan parents about technology and child wellbeing. Local experts will also talk about online privacy and provide strategies to help children develop a healthy relationship with digital devices.

These events are free to attend, but pre-registration is required at www.familyscreentime.ca.

Media Contact:
Patty Wellborn
Assistant Communications Coordinator | University Relations The University of British Columbia | Okanagan campus Phone: 250-807-8463 | Email: patty.wellborn@ubc.ca