French health minister wants to ban screens for children under 3… but how?

A ban on children aged 3 and under using appliances with ‘screens’ is set to be introduced in the coming weeks in France, announced Health Minister Catherine Vautrin. 

The ban will be published in the Journal Officiel in the coming weeks, Ms Vautrin said in an interview with French media outlet JDD (paywall article). 

Published via decree, it will be similar to the incoming ban on smoking in public places. 

It will focus on preventing children from having access to screens in areas where they are cared for - including at home.

It comes alongside an increased information drive on the dangers of excessive screen time for young children.

This has included an update to children’s health booklets on the topic, including information on how to limit screen time for younger children. 

Since January 1, children’s health cards (Carnet de Santé) have included the recommendation to not let children under the age of 3 have screen time.

How will ‘ban’ work? 

The decree will “ban screens in places where children under three are looked after,” Ms Vautrin said. 

This is likely to include maternelle and other care facilities, but not be extended generally to public spaces a young child might be (such as a shopping centre, etc).

She did not divulge exactly what would be meant by a ‘screen’, but it is likely to include the use of smartphones and iPads for entertaining children, as well as televisions and computers.

A key facet of the decree is that the ban will also apply “at home,” Ms Vautrin said.

However, this does not mean police officers will be knocking on doors checking if parents are following the rules.

The decree will take inspiration from a similar 2019 rule that banned parents from spanking their children. 

“The police did not go and check homes to see if the ban was enforced,” said Ms Vautrin, but the widespread news of the ban and information of the negative long-term effects of such a practice “ended up anchoring the idea that you do not hit a child.” 

A similar cultural shift is the aim of the screen ban, she added.

A viral social media post at the beginning of the year stated parents would be fined up to €300 if they let their children watch too much TV. 

This was fake news, however it has prompted further questions on whether this incoming ban will include a monetary fine.

This is not yet known but should be made clear in the decree.

Increased information on screen-time danger 

The decree comes as communication campaigns aim to increase access to information for parents about the dangers of screen time.

Alongside adding more information to parenting books, benefits body the Caisse d'allocations familiales (Caf) and the state insurer Caisse national d'assurance maladie (Cnam) will write about the dangers of screen time on children’s health cards and baby records. 

The government will launch a general information campaign on the ban as well as the risks of excessive screen time for young children. 

The widespread campaign has the aim of reaching all child carers and parents so that “no one can say to us: I didn't know,” Ms Vautrin said.

Authorities already warn about the dangers of screentime for young children, with the Cnam recommending as little as possible for those under 3, and only “occasional use, limited to educational content and accompanied by an adult,” for those between 3 and 6. 

“Professionals are already very aware of the impact of screens on toddlers. They contributed to the development of a quality of care reference framework… and this ban will give them an even stronger basis for advising parents,” said Ms Vautrin.

A major 2024 study by child health experts on the matter was submitted to French President Emmanuel Macron.

It said “screen use [in young children] contributes to sleep deficits, sedentary lifestyles, eyesight and obesity problems, and impaired social-emotional and language development.” 

The study also referred to the ‘3-6-9-12 method’ of screen time for children promoted by French psychiatrist Serge Tisseron. 

He states that children should not be exposed to any screens before the age of three, not to any video games consoles (portable or otherwise) before the age of six, the internet before the age of 9, and should only access it with an adult after the age of 12. 

From 12 onwards, internet usage should be monitored until the child is an adult.