Sweden’s Public Health Agency has issued new guidelines for parents on screen time for children. According to the agency, children under two should have no exposure to digital media or television at all. Children between two and five should be limited to one hour of screen time per day, while those aged six to 12 should spend no more than an hour or two in front of a screen.
Teenagers aged 13-18 should be limited to two to three hours of screen time per day. The agency also recommends that children do not use screens before bedtime and that phones and tablets are kept out of bedrooms at night.
The guidelines come as Sweden faces a “sleep crisis” with over half of 15-year-olds not getting enough sleep. Research has shown that excessive screen use can lead to poor sleep, depression, and body dissatisfaction.
Sweden’s government is also considering a ban on smartphones in primary schools. The Public Health Minister emphasized the importance of limiting screen time for children, saying that it allows them more time for communal activities, physical activity, and adequate sleep.
Source: https://fortune.com/europe/2024/09/02/tv-screens-children-toddlers-sweden-parents-allowed/