Dealing with Screens: The 3-6-9-12 guide.

The 3-6-9-12 rule is a guideline for parents to manage their children’s exposure to screens and technology, proposed by psychiatrist Serge Tisseron in 2008. It is structured around four critical stages of a child’s life: admission to pre-kindergarten, entering grammar school, mastery of reading and writing, and the transition to middle school or junior high school. The rule emphasizes progressive exposure to technology, in line with the child’s development.

1. Before Age 3: Children at this age cannot distinguish between fiction and reality and are not emotionally prepared for screen exposure. Television and other electronic devices are not beneficial to young children and can slow the development of language and memory, increasing the risk of childhood obesity. Instead, play and creativity should be encouraged.

2. Before Age 6: Video games and tablets should be avoided as they can be addictive, leading to loss of time awareness and hindering psychomotor development. They demand more attention than other activities and can dominate a child’s time and interest​​​​.

3. Before Age 9: Children are not prepared to navigate the dangers of the internet. It’s important for them to understand that everything published is public, permanent, and not always trustworthy. Parents should guide their children on the internet, teaching them to consult reliable sources and setting time aside for screen use​​​​.

4. Before Age 12: Children should not have unrestricted access to smartphones and should not surf the internet or create social media profiles alone. From age 12, they can access the internet under parental guidance and time restrictions. Parents should discuss with their children the rules for online use, including issues like downloading, plagiarism, pornography, and cyberbullying, and ensure that devices are turned off at night​​​​. These guidelines provide a framework for parents to introduce and regulate the use of technology in their children’s lives, aiming to promote a balanced and healthy approach to screen time.

Downloadables guides:

• In French: View & Download
• In English: View and Download

More information:

• Serge Tisseron 3-6-9-12 – Apprivoiser les écrans et grandir – Éditions érès – NOUVELLE ÉDITION, 160 pages
• Les dangers de la télé pour les bébés Éditions érès – NOUVELLE ÉDITION ACTUALISÉE, 150 pages, Serge Tisseron
• Manuel à l’usage des accrocs aux écrans, ou Comment garder à la fois mon ordi et mes parents 2015, Paris, Nathan
• https://sergetisseron.com/