Social Awareness

You can find the information and resources from the “In Canadian Society” series on this page. This series of sessions tackles important social issues and opportunities in our nation by increasing awareness and offering key information and useful resources. Each session focuses on a specific topic, primarily related to parenting or the settlement process in Canada.

List of session topics:


Screen Time: Kids’ Mental Health and Well-Being

Session Date: October 29, 2023

Highlights
  • According to AAP guidelines, toddlers should preferably avoid the use of screen, and children aged 2 years and older should limit to 1 hour per day.
  • Positive aspects of screen time include educational and recreational benefits of technology.
  • Excessive screen time causes physical health concerns, sleep disturbance, and impacts on mental health.
  • Increased risk of anxiety, depression, feelings of loneliness, aggression, impulsive behaviour, and difficulty in focusing are among the mental health impacts.
  • Need to set a healthy screen time limits by creating a family media plan and encouraging outdoor/physical activities.
  • Parents should set clear rules, they themselves lead by example, choose high-quality content, have open communication, educate on online safety, and monitor screen time to create a family media plan.
Resources

For Children and Teenagers:

  • Smiling Mind app offers meditation exercises to help reduce stress.
  • Calm Kids app provides guided relaxation for children to manage anxiety.
  • MoodGYM app offers online CBT programs to help teenagers with depression/anxiety.
  • SuperBetter app help kids to build resilience using gamification elements.
  • Stop, Breathe & Think Kids app provides emotional regulation exercises for children.

For Parents and Caregivers:

Guest Speaker

Dr Saeed Kianpour (Family Therapist)

Video
Slides