Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health (CCMOH) Position Paper on Digital Culture and Child and Youth Well-Being

The Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health released a position paper highlighting the impacts that digital culture can have on the health and well-being of children and youth.

The Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health (CCMOH) released a position paper highlighting the impacts that digital culture can have on the health and well-being of children and youth.

Digital devices and online platforms, including social media, play an important role in helping people connect and find community. However, there is growing evidence that excessive or problematic use of these tools is associated with negative effects on children’s development, sleep, and mental and physical health.

As the challenges of digital technologies are complex and rapidly evolving, addressing their impacts on health and well-being requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and adaptable approach. The CCMOH advocates for shared responsibility and coordinated action across industry, health systems, schools, communities, and families to reduce harm and promote healthy habits for children and youth. At the core of their recommendations is a focus on increasing awareness of health impacts, strengthening protections against online harms through policy and other measures, and fostering safe and supportive environments both online and offline.