The Swedish Public Health Agency has released new digital screen time guidelines for children in Europe, offering screen time recommendations for kids across various age groups. These guidelines recommend that children under two years old should avoid all screen exposure, while teenagers should be limited to a maximum of three hours of screen time per day. The guidelines provide advice for both parents and children, with a focus on reducing the impact of screen time on children’s health.
No Screen Time for Children Under 2 Years Old
According to the digital screen time guidelines for children in Europe, children under the age of two should be completely shielded from digital media and television. For children aged two to five, screen time should be restricted to one hour per day. Those aged six to twelve should have no more than two hours of screen time daily, as per the screen time recommendations for kids.
Public Health Minister Jakob Forssmed stated, “Smartphones and other screens have increasingly encroached on every aspect of our children’s lives.” He added, “We have allowed screens and apps to take away valuable time and attention, which has negatively affected their well-being. The overuse of digital media is linked to worsened sleep and increased symptoms of depression, emphasizing the impact of screen time on children’s health.”
Avoid Using Screens in the Hour Before Bedtime
The health agency also recommends that children avoid screens before bedtime and that screens be kept out of bedrooms at night. These digital screen time guidelines for children in Europe highlight the importance of managing digital exposure to reduce the negative impact of screen time on children’s health.
“Children’s health is suffering due to the pursuit of tech companies’ profits,” Forssmed remarked.
In related news, schools in France are testing a ban on mobile phones for students under 15 as part of a “digital pause” initiative. If successful, the ban is expected to be implemented starting in January.
