World Health Organization and U.S. Experts Join Forces: Why Limiting Screen Time for Kids is Crucial

Sweden's Bold New Guidelines: No Screens for Kids Under Two, Strict Limits for Older Ages

Technology offers students unprecedented opportunities for learning and innovation and access to vast resources and interactive educational tools. However, excessive use can have detrimental effects on their mental health and development. According to recent recommendations released by Sweden's public health service, children younger than two years old should not use digital media. The organization recommended that children’s screen time should be limited according to their age.

The public health agency's interim director-general, Olivia Wigzell, said that the objective is to address problems associated with excessive screen use by children and encourage them to have a better balance. The organisation advised infants under the age of two to completely avoid screens, children between the ages of two and five to use screens for no more than an hour a day,  and six and twelve years old to restrict their screen use to one to two hours a day. Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 are advised to limit their daily screen time to two or three hours.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that sedentary screen time such as watching TV or playing computer games is strictly prohibited for children under age one. The French president ordered an expert panel to recommend that children under three should not use screens at all and that children up to age six should have extremely limited screen usage. In addition, more than fifty thousand kids will be impacted by a trial that forbids cell phones in some French schools. The Swedish public health service similarly recommended against using tablets and cell phones in bedrooms at night, as it negatively impacts good sleep.

For children under the age of two, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends "very limited" screen use and if parents introduce digital media they should use high-quality programming. As children follow their parents and mirror their behavior, limiting their screen usage can assist their children in doing the same, as per a US study there is a correlation between problematic screen time use among teenagers aged 12 to 13 and their parent's screen usage. So for a better future for the children parents should spend quality time with children and not encourage too much screen time.

Editor's Note:

As the technological advancements strengthen its roots it is impacting children both positively and negatively, the negative effects include excessive usage of screens which is raising concerns due to its impact on children’s development and health. Research shows a connection between excessive screen time and behavioral disorders as well as poor sleep. The findings from the US, Sweden, and France highlight how crucial it is to prioritize high-quality interactions over passive consumption when it comes to screen time limits. It is recommended that parents and educators modify these rules to promote children's welfare in a world that is advancing digitally.

Skoobuzz advises parents to positively motivate their children to reduce screen time and involve them in exploring their creativity.