Sweden has issued new guidelines urging parents to limit screen time for children, starting with a complete ban on screens for toddlers under the age of two.

The country’s Public Health Agency recommended on Monday that children aged two to five be restricted to a maximum of one hour of screen time per day, while those aged six to 12 should be limited to one to two hours daily.

For teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18, the agency advised limiting screen time to two to three hours per day. Public Health Minister Jakob Forssmed expressed concern about the growing presence of screens in children’s lives, noting that Swedish teens aged 13 to 16 spend an average of six and a half hours daily on screens outside of school.

This excessive use, he said, leaves little time for physical activity, social interactions, and sufficient sleep.

The agency also recommended that children avoid screens before bedtime and that phones and tablets be kept out of bedrooms at night.

Citing research, the agency warned that excessive screen use can lead to poor sleep, depression, and body dissatisfaction. The Swedish government is also considering a ban on smartphones in primary schools.

#MaltaDaily