How much screen time should toddlers have? None, Sweden says. | Health News
Swedish public health authorities recommended this week that children younger than 2 should not use any digital media, as parents, pediatricians and governments struggle to respond to the challenges of today’s tech-soaked world. “We have to take back control,” said Jakob Forssmed, the minister of social affairs and public health, and give children “the ability to have a different kind of childhood.” The intention of Sweden’s policy — and others like it — is to cut down on distractions, promote healthy development and help preserve the innocence of childhood. But some experts wonder if the guidance — however well-intentioned — may be too unrealistic and too judgmental to stick. Here’s an overview of the debate. What are Sweden’s recommendations? There are four main categories to Sweden’s new screen-time recommendations: Duration: No screens for children younger than 2, an hour maximum for children age 2 to 5, two hours for children age 6 to 12 and three hours for teens. Control: Sweden recommends following the age limits provided by social media and game companies, and that …