Who Am I?
I’m Cris Rowan, a pediatric occupational therapist (OT), biologist, author and international speaker passionate about changing the ways in which humans interact with screen-based technologies. In my work as an OT, I am continually surprised at teacher, clinician and employer lack of knowledge regarding screen impact research. For the past 35 years I’ve witnessed declining health, wellbeing and productivity across the age span. I have collated screen impact research into a topically organized Fact Sheet which contains over 600 studies which was foundational for my book Virtual Child, blog Moving to Learn and over 450 national and international presentations in 13 countries, all recently converted to online webinars available on my website Reconnect Webinars. I’ve developed the concept Balanced Technology Management (BTM) where focus shifts from screen reduction to increased engagement in healthy activities. The 4 critical factors for optimizing child development, behavior and learning are movement, touch, human connection and nature (see below Building Foundations graphic) yet it is rare that people know or how to apply this crucial information.
The Problem
See below Virtual Futures graphic
Across the age span, people who overuse screens are largely sedentary, isolated, overstimulated and neglected resulting in a nation-wide rise in physical impairment and mental illness with growing incidence of screen addiction. In the history of humankind, we have never witnessed children with addictions. As addictions rise, so will health care costs. Since the onset of edtech and AI in schools in 2010, PISA scores have declined at an alarming rate impacting workability and university performance. As absenteeism rises and employee productivity declines in the workplace, the GDP plumets. The ways in which we are using screens are no longer sustainable. The need for health governments to act to educate the public regarding screen overuse and management has never been more imperative than right now.
The Research
See below Screen Impact graphic
Children are presently using 4-5 times the CPS recommended amount of screentime, resulting in significant impairment to health and wellbeing. Children are sedentary and unfit with 1 in 3 developmentally delayed, 1 in 3 obese or overweight and 1 in 4 sleep deprived. Less than 6 hours of sleep per night is associated with increased incidence of cancer, heart attack, stroke and death. Global incidence of early onset cancer increased 79.1% between 1990 and 2019. Screens are overstimulating to eyes, heart and brain causing visual impairment, cardiovascular damage, impaired brain development and attention deficit. Screen use is isolating humans from what they yearn for most, love and human connection resulting in soaring rates of anxiety, depression, addiction and suicide. Currently in Canada, 1 in 5 children and youth have a diagnosed mental illness. Undetected screen overuse is often misdiagnosed as physical or mental health disorders often leading to prescription of harmful psychotropic medications.
And then came AI. Mattel recently partnered with OpenAI and are rapidly embedding AI into unregulated children’s toys. In the absence of healthy attachments with adults, children are forming very unhealthy and harmful attachments to AI. Brain maturation is now in accordance with AI, and the younger the child, the worse the outcome. In schools, AI is displacing the hard work of learning with devastating outcomes. A 2025 MIT study showed use of ChatGPT over a 4-month period resulted in academic underperformance at neural, linguistic, and behavioral levels, and early studies of AI in workplaces show zero increases in revenue and worker productivity, yet we continue to deploy AI at an alarming rate. All AI illegally harvests data and sells it for profit. From ‘cradle to grave’ this digital footprint will follow children through school into adulthood detrimentally impacting their ability to get into university, get a bank loan, secure a job etc. There are currently no laws in place to regulate edtech or AI. There is no short nor long term research showing AI is safe for children or adults, with prolific research showing harm. Tech designers are not certified, have no code of conduct, with monetary gain their salient goal. No one can predict the outcome of unregulated AI, no one.
Screen Impact
How I Can Help You
I’ve created a 3-day certification training course in Balanced Technology Management for clinicians, teachers and parents, and the new peer-lead, teacher supervised, free online Screenbuster training for teens. Over the past 35 years working predominantly in First Nations schools, I have developed endless strategies and countless action plans, many that failed but others that were a resounding success. An example is my work over the past 3 years with the Ulkatcho First Nation Nagwuntl’oo School resulting in the completion of 3 playgrounds totaling $750 K. This project originated from 5 community engagement sessions which included active participation by children, parents and teachers and community. “If you build it, they will come” rarely works as “buy in” is achieved with a combination of education and engagement. Public education is key, along with team building and supportive consultation.
Public Education
See below System of Solutions graphic
Dissemination of research evidenced education is urgent. To fast track public education, I’ve created the Balanced Technology Management (BTM) 3-day CEU certification course which provides research-based tools and techniques to bring teachers and clinicians up to date on assessment and treatment of screen overuse. Training is research referenced, includes the Tech Tool Kit (75 reproducible handouts) with provision of a 2 hour PP slide deck for presentations. Screen usage guidelines must be developed immediately for homes, schools, community and workplace settings. ‘Screening for Screens’ should be a mandatory procedure for all teachers and clinicians.
Team Building
See below Creating Sustainable Futures graphic
We are currently in an emerging global child health crisis. Forming teams from 7 sectors including leaders from Government, Technology Industry, Education, Health, Research, Parents and Media is a critical first step toward addressing this emergency. Focused workshops led by myself for key leaders in the 7 sectors in conjunction with breakout dialogue is the first step; my suggestion would be 1-day workshops twice per month. From that framework could grow a solid and impenetrable plan. China created a firewall and mandated gaming corporations take responsibility for harm by limiting child access to < 12 hours per week. Europe created a data privacy act. Canada could become a leader in the ‘reigning in’ the technology industry through imposing a 5% profit reparation tax to go toward tools and techniques to repair damage done to children by technology. Litigation is unnecessary; just reference the Fact Sheet. ‘Screening for Screens’ should be a mandatory procedure for all teachers and clinicians, as well as provision of screen management education. Clear and precise research-referenced guidelines and directives for screen use by parents, teachers and clinicians is critical.
Supportive Consultation
I am available as a content expert, consultant or policy advisor to work together with health and education authorities to determine a variety of immediate and feasible courses of action. Consultation sessions can be booked online on my crisrowan.com website or arranged on a contract basis. I sincerely hope to meet or talk with you at some time in the near future. Please contact me at crowan@reconnectwebinars.com or 604-740-2264 to solidify a plan.
