Sweden has introduced new guidelines to curb screen time for children in a bid to promote healthier lifestyles.
The Public Health Agency’s recommendations aim to address the negative effects of excessive screen use on young people.
Under the new rules, toddlers should avoid screens entirely, while children under two are advised to stay away from digital media and television.
For those aged two to five, screen time should be capped at one hour per day. Children aged six to twelve should have no more than one to two hours daily.
Teenagers aged thirteen to eighteen are advised to limit their screen time to two to three hours per day.
Public Health Minister Jakob Forssmed raised concerns about the high screen usage among Swedish teens, noting they spend an average of six and a half hours daily on screens outside school hours.
He pointed out the detrimental effects on communal activities, physical exercise, and sleep, citing a “sleep crisis” where over half of fifteen-year-olds lack adequate rest.
The agency also recommended avoiding screens before bedtime and keeping phones and tablets out of bedrooms at night to prevent issues such as poor sleep, depression, and body dissatisfaction.
Sweden’s government is also exploring a potential ban on smartphones in primary schools.