Post-pandemic Adolescent Screen Time Reduced: Public Health in Montreal

Teens are showing post-pandemic improvements in screen time, according to a new study released Tuesday by the Montreal Public Health Organization.

According to the study, in 2021, 27 percent of 14- to 17-year-olds spent five or more hours on a screen in a week. In 2023, this indicator decreased to 19 percent.

“The picture is clearly not as bleak as it was during the pandemic,” said Montreal public health researcher Jean-Francois Biron.

Biron says the survey, which surveyed 1,000 teenagers, had two big findings: reduced screen time and improved morale.

“They were healthier and they were more satisfied with their lives, they had better relationships and they were more motivated to learn,” she told CTV News on Tuesday.

Despite the improvements, many teens say they still want to cut back on the hours they spend surfing because it often affects their lives.

According to the study, 41 percent of them say their digital habits sometimes or often affect their sleep and 54 percent say it affects their school work.

A Montreal public health organization says it's working to help young people spend less screen time and improve their digital literacy.