Stockholm: The guidelines stipulate that children under the age of two should have no screen exposure at all, while teenagers should limit their screen time to a maximum of three hours per day. For children aged two to five, screen time should be restricted to one hour daily, and for six to 12-year-olds, it should not exceed two hours.

This is the first time the health authority has provided specific directives on screen use for families.
These recommendations mark a substantial departure from current screen time averages among Swedish youth, which is estimated at four hours a day for nine- to twelve-year-olds and over seven hours daily for seventeen- and eighteen-year-olds (excluding school-related activities).

The health authority emphasized the negative health effects associated with excessive screen time, including sleep disturbances and increased risk of depression. Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed stated, “For too long, screens and apps have stolen time and attention at the expense of children’s well-being.”

The guidelines also advise against using screens before bedtime and recommend keeping devices out of bedrooms at night.

“Children’s health is being compromised by the pursuit of tech company profits,” Forssmed asserted. The recommendations aim to promote a healthier, more conscious, and responsible use of screens and digital media among both children and adults.