Swedish Authorities Recommend Limits on Children's Screen Time

Sweden's Public Health Agency has issued new guidelines recommending that children under two should not have any screen time, while those aged two to five should be limited to one hour per day. For children aged six to twelve, screen time should not exceed one to two hours daily, and teenagers aged thirteen to eighteen should be limited to two to three hours. Public Health Minister Jakob Forssmed highlighted concerns over excessive screen use, noting that teens aged thirteen to sixteen currently average six and a half hours on screens outside school. The guidelines aim to combat a growing 'sleep crisis' in Sweden, where over half of fifteen-year-olds do not get adequate sleep. The agency also advises against screen use before bedtime and recommends keeping devices out of children's bedrooms. Additionally, the Swedish government is considering a ban on smartphones in primary schools to further address these issues.