Dr. Jess Haines, a professor in the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, will appear on a repeat episode of The Nature of Things on CBC TV called “Kids vs. Screens” on Thursday, July 15 at 9 p.m. ET.

The episode, which first aired in November, 2020, will explore how TVs, cellphones and gaming consoles have become “digital babysitters” for our children and how this is affecting their development.

It will likely hold particular relevance for parents who report the lockdowns and pressures of the pandemic have led to their children using screen even more than they did before.

Haines, the co-director of the Guelph Family Health Study, will discuss some of her team’s research on kids’ use of screens, including how parents’ screen use affects their children’s use and why cutting off screen time can backfire as a disciplinary tactic.

“Kids vs. Screens” is also available to view on CBC Gem.

Read some tips Haines has to offer to parents trying to manage screen time at home.