Sweden’s New Screen-Time Guidelines for Children

Sweden’s New Screen-Time Recommendations for Young Children

This week, Swedish public health authorities issued a significant recommendation urging that children under the age of 2 should refrain from using any form of digital media. This decision comes as parents, pediatricians, and government officials grapple with the complexities introduced by our tech-saturated environment. “We have to take back control,” stated Jakob Forssmed, the minister of social affairs and public health. He emphasized the importance of providing children “the ability to have a different kind of childhood.”

The core intention behind Sweden’s policy—and similar initiatives emerging globally—is to minimize distractions, foster healthy development, and protect the innocence of childhood. However, some experts express concern that this guidance, while well-meaning, may be overly ambitious and potentially judgmental, making it difficult for families to adhere to.

Overview of Sweden’s Recommendations

Sweden’s new screen-time recommendations are categorized into four main areas:

• Duration:
  • No screen time for children under the age of 2.
  • A maximum of one hour for children aged 2 to 5.
  • Up to two hours for children aged 6 to 12.
  • Three hours for teenagers.
• Control: Parents are encouraged to adhere to the age restrictions set by social media and gaming platforms, while also actively monitoring their children’s digital consumption.
• Sleep: It is advised to eliminate screen usage before bedtime and to keep screens out of the bedroom altogether. Sleep scientists suggest that this guideline may also benefit adults.