Sweden Joins Efforts to Limit Screen Time for Children Under 2

In a significant move, Sweden’s public health agency has recommended that children under the age of two should not have any exposure to digital screens. This directive, released at the start of the new school year, is part of a broader global initiative aimed at curbing screen time for young children. The pandemic-related lockdowns highlighted this issue as many parents turned to digital devices to keep their children entertained while balancing remote work.

The guidelines from Sweden are strict regarding toddlers, recommending zero screen time for this age group, which includes television. As children grow, the recommendations become more flexible: those aged 2 to 5 should spend no more than an hour a day in front of screens, while the age group of 6 to 12 should be limited to two hours. Teenagers, on the other hand, should have their screen time capped at three hours daily.

These recommendations are grounded in research that indicates high digital device usage among children leads to various negative outcomes, including disrupted sleep, increased feelings of depression, and reduced physical activity.

Other countries have echoed similar sentiments. The United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and France have all issued guidelines aimed at limiting screen time for young ones. France stands out with its rigorous recommendations, suggesting that children under three years old should have no exposure to screens at all. This recommendation was highlighted in a report commissioned by President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year.

Though the U.S. and Ireland allow for video calls between toddlers and family or friends, Canada, Australia, and Sweden advocate for a more stringent approach without such exceptions.

In the United States, schools are increasingly instituting cellphone bans to mitigate distractions. Policies such as cellphone pouches, lockers, and secure bins are becoming common features in school protocols. However, these bans are not always strictly enforced, and students often find ways to circumvent the rules, such as concealing phones in their laps. Some parents worry about the potential isolation from their children during emergencies, such as school shootings, due to these policies.

Amid these discussions, experts argue that simply enforcing bans isn’t enough. They advocate for more engaging alternatives, encouraging students to spend time outdoors or participate in extracurricular activities instead of solitary online experiences. Importantly, they also stress the need for spaces where young people can discuss sensitive topics without the fear of backlash in the digital space.

The relevance of these guidelines is further underscored by a report from UNESCO, which highlights the dual nature of digital technology in education. While it offers new learning opportunities and connections, excessive screen time can have adverse effects on social skills and real-world learning experiences. Furthermore, concerns about the impact on both physical and mental well-being are growing. The report also mentions the lack of adequate regulations surrounding the misuse of personal data, alongside the risks associated with misinformation and hate speech online.

According to a study published last year in JAMA Pediatrics, there may be a concerning link between screen time and developmental setbacks. The research found that increased screen exposure for children as young as one year was associated with delays in communication and problem-solving skills as they reached ages two and four.

As these conversations evolve, there is increasing scrutiny on the tech industry and social media’s role in the lives of children and teenagers. Last fall, numerous U.S. states, including California and New York, filed lawsuits against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, accusing it of contributing to the rising mental health crisis among youth by creating addictive features designed specifically for children.

In January, executives from major social media platforms, including Meta, TikTok, and X, were called to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the harmful effects of their platforms on young users. In response to these concerns, Sweden’s public health agency has urged tech companies to modify their algorithms to prevent children from falling into prolonged cycles of scrolling or consuming inappropriate content.