Sweden limits screen time for children. Here’s why, and see if you should do the same
Screen Time Guidelines
The Swedish Public Health Authority has introduced new guidelines on screen time for children and teenagers. These guidelines mark the first time the authority has provided specific recommendations on how parents should manage screen use for their children. According to the guidelines, children under the age of two should not be exposed to any screens. Teenagers should limit their screen time to no more than three hours per day.
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What Guidelines Say
The guidelines recommend specific screen time limits based on age groups. For children aged two to five years, screen time should be limited to one hour per day. Children aged six to 12 should have no more than two hours of screen time daily. Teenagers between 13 and 18 years old should restrict their screen use to three hours a day.
These limits represent a significant reduction from current averages. For example, nine- to 12-year-olds in Sweden currently spend an average of four hours a day on screens. For 17- and 18-year-olds, screen time exceeds seven hours daily, excluding schoolwork.
Health Concerns
Sweden's Minister of Social Affairs, Jakob Forssmed, noted that prolonged screen time could negatively affect sleep and contribute to symptoms of depression. Forssmed emphasized the importance of reducing screen time to promote better mental and physical health among children and teenagers.
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