This Country Considers Banning Screens for Children Under 2 Years Old
This country is looking to ban screens for children under 2 years old. Not only mobile phones but also television can have a negative effect on the psyche of young children.
Nowadays, almost every parent faces the question: at what age can children have access to a mobile phone or tablet? When there is a lot of cleaning to do or parents are simply tired, giving a child a mobile phone with a game or cartoon on it is a great temptation.
The risks associated with the use of gadgets by young children have prompted a worldwide initiative by doctors and specialists who recommend limiting the time children spend in front of screens. Recently, Swedish authorities have joined the initiative, advising parents to keep children under the age of two completely away from mobile devices. Some politicians are even considering banning screens for minors, especially in schools and nurseries.
At the start of the new school year, the Swedish Ministry of Health officially issued this recommendation. The Swedish guidelines are based on new research showing that screens can lead to sleep problems, decreased physical activity, and even depression among children (and adults, of course).
Parents are advised to prevent children under the age of 2 from watching any digital screens, including television. Children aged 2 to 5 years are advised to spend a maximum of one hour a day in front of a screen, and children aged 6 to 12 years are advised to spend a maximum of two hours. Young people aged 12 and above should spend no more than three hours a day in front of a screen. Medical authorities in other countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and France, have already issued similar recommendations. In France, even three-year-olds are advised to stay away from screens altogether.
The World Health Organization (WHO) released its recommendations, "WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for Children under 5 Years of Age." The guidelines emphasize the importance of children spending more time engaged in physical activity and getting sufficient sleep, while limiting sedentary screen time, such as watching television, videos, or playing computer games. According to the WHO, infants under 1 year old should not have any screen time, 1-year-olds should also avoid screens, and 2-year-olds should have no more than one hour of screen time, with less being preferable. For children aged 3 to 4 years, the recommended maximum is one hour per day.