Insights on Canadian Society - Does screen time make a difference? A longitudinal study of youth screentime and well-being - March 19, 2026

Oct 15, 2026

Youth screen use is increasing in Canada, prompting concerns about effects on well-being, mental health, academic performance, and related subjective outcomes. This longitudinal study uses Canadian Health Survey data from ages 12–17 in 2019 and 16–21 in 2023 to examine relationships between screen time, healthy behaviours, and well-being outcomes, including whether physical activity can offset any observed associations. Results compare youth exceeding versus following screen time recommendations and assess grade reports, stress, life satisfaction, and suicidal ideation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Overview of the study

Introduction

Catalogue no. 75-006-X ISSN 2291-0840 ISBN 978-0-660-79901-8 Insights on Canadian Society Does screen time make a difference? A longitudinal study of youth screentime and well-being by Cait Brunton, Eton Boco, Travis Facette and Lauren Pinault Release date: March 19, 2026 How to obtain more information For information about this product or the wide range of services and data available from Statistics Canada, visit our website, [www.statcan.gc.ca](www.statcan.gc.ca). You can also contact us by Email at infostats@statcan.gc.ca Telephone, from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. , at the following numbers: • Statistical Information Service 1-800-263-1136 • National telecommunications device for the hearing impaired 1-800-363-7629 • Fax line 1-514-283-9350 Standards of service to the public Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner. To this end, the Agency has developed standards of service which its employees observe in serving its clients. To obtain a copy of these service standards, please contact Statistics Canada toll-free at 1-800-263-1136. The service standards are also published on [www.statcan.gc.ca](www.statcan.gc.ca)[ ](www.statcan.gc.ca)[under](under) “Contact us” > “Standards of service to the public.” Note of appreciation Canada owes the success of its statistical system to along-standing partnership between Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued co-operation and goodwill. Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2026 Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement. An HTML version is also available. Cette publication est aussi disponible en français. Does screen time make a difference? A longitudinal study of youth screen time and well-being by Cait Brunton, Eton Boco, Travis Facette and Lauren Pinault Overview of the study Canadian youth are using electronic devices more and more, and concerns are growing about how that usage affects their well-being, including their mental health; their academic performance; and other subjective indicators. Yet many important parts of their lives are mediated through a screen, from consuming entertainment and socializing to learning and staying informed. To better understand the amount of time youth are spending in front of screens and possible associated outcomes, this study uses longitudinal data from the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth from when youth were aged 12 to 17 in 2019 and 16 to 21 in 2023. Specifically, it looks at relationships between screen time and healthy behaviours and whether screen time is associated with certain well-being outcomes. The study also sheds light on whether physical activity can offset the association between screen time and well-being outcomes. • Over 1 in 3 Canadian youth (37%) exceeded screen time recommendations in both 2019 and 2023, compared with over 1 in 10 youth (14%) who followed 1 screen time guidelines in both years. • Men and boys+ (men and boys and some non-binary people), people with a disability, and those living in urban areas were more likely to exceed screen time recommendations than their respective counterparts (women and girls+, people without a disability, and those living in rural areas) . • Youth who followed screen time guidelines were more likely to meet physical activity recommendations than youth who exceeded screen time recommendations. • Youth who followed screen time guidelines were significantly more likely to report better well-being across a host of outcomes (e.g., mental health, life satisfaction and stress levels) than those who exceeded guidelines. • Men and boys+ reported better grade

FAQs

What does the study examine about youth screen time?

The study examines relationships between screen time and healthy behaviours, and whether screen time is associated with well-being outcomes.

How is physical activity related to the screen time findings?

The study assesses whether physical activity can offset associations between screen time and well-being outcomes, including partially offsetting some observed links.

What are key results comparing youth who exceed screen time recommendations with those who follow guidelines?

Youth exceeding recommendations were more likely to report poorer well-being across outcomes such as mental health, life satisfaction and stress levels, while those following guidelines were more likely to meet physical activity recommendations; some differences also appear in grades and suicidal ideation by gender groups.

Oct 15, 2026

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