Introducing the 5 Cs of Media Use: A Guide for Pediatricians and Parents

Erica Stokes| July 22, 2024

In today’s digital age, pediatricians and healthcare providers often face challenges in discussing digital media usage with families. To simplify these conversations, we developed “The 5 Cs of Media Use” — a mnemonic tool designed to facilitate meaningful discussions about children and screens. The 5 Cs stand for Child, Content, Calm, Crowding Out, and Communication. This approach is complemented by a series of age-based handouts, available for parents at well-child visits.

The 5 Cs of Media Use

1. Child: Tailor media use guidelines to the individual child, considering their age, temperament, and developmental stage.
2. Content: Focus on the quality of media content. Encourage educational and age-appropriate media that promotes learning and positive behavior.
3. Calm: Ensure that media use promotes calmness and relaxation, avoiding overstimulation and stress.
4. Crowding Out: Be mindful of media use crowding out other essential activities like sleep, physical play, and face-to-face interactions.
5. Communication: Maintain open lines of communication within the family about media use, encouraging discussions about what children are watching and playing.

Age-Based Handouts for Parents

Based on current research and evidence, these handouts provide parents with insights into their children’s developmental stages, the impact on media use, and strategies for fostering healthy media habits at home. The handouts are categorized into five developmental stages:

• Infancy (0-18 months): Focus on the importance of minimizing screen time and encouraging interactive, non-screen activities. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/CoE_5Cs_Infancy_Final.pdf 
• Toddlers & Preschoolers (2-4 years): Guidance on selecting high-quality educational content and setting limits on screen time. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/CoE_5Cs_Toddlers_Final.pdf 
• School-Aged Children (5-10 years): Tips on balancing screen time with physical activity, homework, and social interactions. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/CoE_5Cs_School_Age_Children_Final.pdf
• Young Teens (10-14 years): Emphasis on responsible media use, online safety, and encouraging critical thinking about media content. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/CoE_5Cs_Young_Teens_Final.pdf
• Older Teens (15-17 years): Strategies for promoting digital literacy, managing screen time, and preparing for independent media use. https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/CoE_5Cs_Older_Teens_Final.pdf

How the 5 Cs Promote Healthy Media Habits

The 5 Cs are designed to meet children, teens, and parents where they are. By building insight and communication skills, this approach motivates healthy behavior change, ensuring that media use contributes positively to children’s development (Guernsey, 2007; 2012; 2015).

Resources for Clinicians and Parents

To assist in implementing the 5 Cs, we offer comprehensive user guides for both clinicians and parents. These guides provide detailed instructions on how to incorporate the 5 Cs into routine practice and family life.

• 5 Cs User Guide for Clinicians https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/center-of-excellence-on-social-media-and-youth-mental-health/how-to-use-the-5-cs-of-media-use-tips-for-pediatric-clinicians/
• 5 Cs User Guide for Parents https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/kids-and-screen-time-how-to-use-the-5-cs-of-media-guidance.aspx?_gl=1*1mfp6bs*_ga*MTU1MjAzNjMzNS4xNzIxNDE4NzE1*_ga_FD9D3XZVQQ*MTcyMTY3NTAzMC40LjEuMTcyMTY3NTcyMC4wLjAuMA..

Inspiration and Acknowledgements

The 5 Cs of Media Use were inspired by the work of journalist and author Lisa Guernsey, who first introduced the concept of the Three Cs in her books Into the Minds of Babes (2007), Screen Time (2012), and Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers in a World of Screens (2015).

Funding for the Center of Excellence, which supports this initiative, was made possible by Grant No. SM087180 from SAMHSA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, SAMHSA/HHS or the U.S. Government.

By adopting the 5 Cs, pediatricians and parents can work together to foster healthy media habits, ensuring that children benefit from digital media while minimizing potential risks. For more information and to access the user guides, please visit our website.

References

Guernsey, L. (2007). Into the minds of babes. Basic Books.

Guernsey, L. (2012). Screen time. Basic Books.

Guernsey, L., & Levine, M. H. (2015). Tap, click, read: Growing readers in a world of screens. Jossey-Bass.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Grant No. SM087180.