On Monday, Sweden’s Public Health Agency issued new guidelines advising parents to keep screens away from toddlers entirely. As the new school year begins, these recommendations underscore a global movement to manage screen time for young children more effectively.
Screen Time Recommendations by Age
According to the Swedish guidelines, children under two should have no screen exposure whatsoever. For those aged two to five, screen time should be limited to just one hour per day. Kids aged six to twelve should not exceed one to two hours a day, while teenagers between thirteen and eighteen should spend no more than two to three hours daily on screens.
Public Health Minister Jakob Forssmed stressed the urgency of these guidelines. He noted that Swedish teens aged thirteen to sixteen average around six and a half hours of screen time daily outside school hours. This excessive use, Forssmed said, impacts their physical activity, social interactions, and sleep quality. He pointed out a troubling “sleep crisis” in Sweden, revealing that over half of fifteen-year-olds are not getting enough rest.
The Public Health Agency also recommended that children avoid screens in the hour leading up to bedtime and keep devices out of bedrooms at night. Excessive screen use before sleep has been linked to poor sleep quality, depression, and body dissatisfaction.
International Comparisons
Sweden’s recommendations are in line with global trends, though some countries have stricter guidelines. France, for instance, suggests no screen time for children under three, a stance supported by a report commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron. In contrast, Ireland and the U.S. allow video calls for young children with family and friends, a distinction not made by Sweden, Canada, or Australia.
U.S. School Cellphone Bans and Challenges
In the U.S., many schools have adopted cellphone bans using various methods to enforce them, including pouches and lockers. However, enforcement is often inconsistent, and students frequently find ways to bypass the rules, such as hiding phones. Some parents worry that these bans could prevent them from reaching their children in emergencies, like school shootings.
Experts argue that while cellphone bans are a step in the right direction, they are insufficient on their own. They suggest replacing screen time with outdoor activities and extracurricular programs and emphasize the need for environments where students can discuss sensitive topics without the fear of social media backlash.
Health Impacts of Screen Time
A 2023 UNESCO report outlines both the benefits and risks of digital technology in education. While it can enhance learning and collaboration, it also risks impeding socialization and real-life experiences. The report highlights negative impacts on physical and mental health, data privacy issues, and the spread of misinformation.
Research published last year in JAMA Pediatrics found that increased screen time for children as young as one year old is linked to developmental delays in communication and problem-solving skills by ages two and four.
Industry and Legal Reactions
The impact of screen time on teenagers has led to legal actions in the U.S., where several states, including California and New York, have sued Meta Platforms Inc., claiming its features contribute to youth addiction and mental health problems. In January, CEOs from major social media companies testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the negative effects of their platforms.
In response to these concerns, Sweden’s Public Health Agency has called for tech companies to revise their algorithms to curb excessive screen use and exposure to harmful content for children.
