Public Health Agency: No smartphones for children under 13
The Public Health Agency of Sweden has now presented new recommendations regarding children's use of digital media. The agency advises parents to wait until children have turned 13 before giving them their own smartphone.
The purpose of the new guidelines is to promote better health among young people. According to the agency, premature use of smartphones can negatively affect children's sleep, physical activity, and mental well-being. By limiting screen time, they hope to create more room for play, exercise, and social activities in real life.
In addition to the age limit for smartphones, the Public Health Agency emphasizes the importance of parents being good role models. They suggest that adults should be more aware of their own screen time when they are with their children, and that screen-free zones should be created in the home, for example at the dining table or in the bedroom.
The recommendations are part of a larger effort to manage the rapid digitalization of society. The agency stresses that this is not about banning technology entirely, but about finding a healthy balance that protects children's development as they grow up.
This new advice serves as guidance for parents and schools across the country. The discussion about children's screen habits is expected to continue, as many families now need to decide how to manage the digital everyday life for their children.