Photo: Adobe Stock
A maximum of one hour of screen time per day for preschool children, according to the Public Health Agency‘s new recommendations.
Student health Pisa boss Andreas Schleicher believes that the mobile phone is one of the culprits behind the Swedish disaster results in the Pisa survey. Now the Public Health Agency is coming up with new recommendations for children’s screen use.
Teachers believe that screen use affects children’s school work. This is shown by a survey carried out by Vi Lärare’s sister newspaper Ämnesläraren.
Close to 9 out of 10 of the 5,000 teachers who responded to the survey stated that their students’ ability to concentrate and learn was impaired by mobile phone use, social media and computer games.
An expert group from the OECD has reached similar conclusions.
– We were quite surprised by the strong connection, says Pisa manager Andreas Schleicher Today’s News.
On behalf of the government, the Public Health Agency comes up with new recommendations for children’s screen use.
Greater parental responsibility
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Among other things, the authority writes that digital media must not displace schoolwork.
– In our surveys and knowledge base, we see that young people have both positive and negative experiences of digital media. Many of them also feel concerned about how they are affected by their use, and want to change their habits, which we hope to help with through the recommendations, says Helena Frielingsdorf, doctor and investigator at the Public Health Authority, in a press release.
FHM also requires greater parental responsibility.
In June, together with the Media Authority, they published a review of the state of knowledge regarding screen use.
Which according to FHM shows that heavy use entails a risk of poorer sleep, symptoms of depression and dissatisfaction with one’s own body.
The final report will come in 2025.
New FHM advice: Max one hour of screen time
FHM recommends that:
- screens are not used before bedtime and that mobile phones, tablets and the like are left outside the bedroom during the night.
- digital media does not displace sleep, physical activity, relationships, meals and school work. A rule of thumb is that young children 2–5 years old use a screen for a maximum of 1 hour per day, children 6–12 years a maximum of 1–2 hours, and children 13–18 years a maximum of 2–3 hours.
- age limits are followed for, for example, social media and games.
- parents actively control what content children take part in, and talk about what the children do on digital media and agree on rules for screen time.
- parents keep in mind that their own screen habits also affect both the interaction with the child, and children’s screen habits.
- children under the age of 2 do not use screens as much as possible.
Source: Public Health Agency
ALSO READ:
Screens behind the knowledge race
The pediatricians’ call: Screen stop for young children
Requirements for digital tools in preschool must be abolished
The brain researcher warns against one-sided neurofocus in school
The Importance of Screen Time Guidelines for Children
In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever for parents and caregivers to be aware of the amount of time children spend on screens. Excessive screen time has been linked to a range of negative effects, including poor sleep, symptoms of depression, and decreased concentration and learning abilities.
According to the Public Health Agency, children aged 2-5 years old should not spend more than one hour per day on screens, while children aged 6-12 years old should limit their screen time to 1-2 hours per day, and teenagers aged 13-18 years old should aim for 2-3 hours per day [[3]]. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) recommends similar guidelines, suggesting that children aged 2-5 years old should limit their non-educational screen time to about 1 hour per weekday and 3 hours on weekend days, while children aged 6 and older should be encouraged to develop healthy habits [[2]].
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also provides evidence-based guidelines for screen time, emphasizing the importance of parental involvement and guidance. According to the AAP, parents should prioritize hands-on, unplugged playtime for young children, and as children get older, parents should set limits and encourage physical activity, socialization, and other activities that promote healthy development [[1]].
In addition to limiting screen time, it’s also important for parents to set a good example by modeling healthy screen use habits themselves. The Public Health Agency recommends that parents keep their own screen habits in check, as children often mimic their parents’ behavior [[3]].
While setting limits and guidelines for screen time is an important step, it’s also essential for parents to have open and ongoing conversations with their children about digital media use. According to the AAP, parents should talk to their children about the content they are viewing, set rules and limits for screen time, and encourage responsible digital citizenship [[1]].
establishing healthy screen time habits is crucial for children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. By following evidence-based guidelines and setting a good example, parents can help their children develop healthy relationships with digital media and promote overall well-being.
References:
[[1]] https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/media-and-children/center-of-excellence-on-social-media-and-youth-mental-health/qa-portal/qa-portal-library/qa-
Importance of limiting screen time for children
The Importance of Screen Time Guidelines for Children
In today’s digital age, it’s no secret that children are spending an increasing amount of time in front of screens. While screens can be a valuable tool for learning and entertainment, excessive screen time can have negative effects on children’s physical and mental health, social skills, and academic performance. That’s why it’s essential to establish screen time guidelines for children, and for parents and caregivers to take an active role in regulating their child’s screen use.
The Risks of Excessive Screen Time
Excessive screen time has been linked to a range of negative effects on children’s health and well-being, including:
Poorer sleep quality and duration [[3]]
Symptoms of depression and dissatisfaction [[3]]
Impaired social skills and relationships [[1]]
Decreased physical activity and increased risk of obesity [[3]]
* Negative impact on academic performance and concentration [[2]]
Screen Time Recommendations for Children
So, how much screen time is too much for kids? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children over 2 years old limit their screen time to one hour per day [[2]]. Similarly, the Public Health Agency recommends that preschool children limit their screen time to a maximum of one hour per day [[1]].
International Screen Time Guidelines
Interestingly, some countries have more stringent screen time guidelines for children. For example, France and Germany recommend no screen time for children under 3 years old, with a maximum of 10 minutes per day for 3-5 year olds [[1]].
Parental Responsibility
Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in regulating their child’s screen time
