Digital Wellness

Educators can help students use digital media in positive (educational, imaginative, and playful) and safer ways. The actions below influence the four inter-related healthy school areas of a Comprehensive School Health approach.

1. Teaching and Learning:

  • Use credible information and resources to promote digital wellness, such as:
  • Use screens only when they improve teaching and learning. Screens should not be the default method of teaching and classroom management. More specifically, their use should be meaningful, active and serve an educational purpose.
  • Engage in professional learning for educators:

2. Social and Physical Environment:

  • Limit screen time in class, take frequent breaks (every 20 minutes) when using screens and incorporate movement during breaks.
  • Consider appropriate lighting, ergonomics and posture when using screens in the classroom.
  • Consider the various types of screen time, the cumulative screen time at school, the types of devices and the age of the students. Note: Recreational screen time should be limited to no more than two hours per day for children and youth. This two-hour limit includes recreational screen time at school (e.g. during lunch break or as a reward).

3. Policies:

  • Review and assess your school’s code of conduct and your school board’s policies. Consider relevant ministry-issued Policy and Program Memoranda, such as PPM 128. Reach out to schoolinfoecole@eohu.ca for support to tailor policy options to the school's context and needs.
  • Use a progressive approach.
    • Communicate rules and expectations.
    • Provide information to parents/caregivers as needed, such as:
      • Using a personal mobile device during class is not allowed unless permitted by an educator. For information on supporting your child’s digital wellbeing, refer to: Guidance for Families.
      • Refer when help is needed.

4. Partnerships:

  • Share Guidance for Families with parents/guardians.
  • Form a group to address student digital wellness. Don’t forget to involve students.