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 advice is to promote better health and well-being among young people.
According to the agency, early use of smartphones can negatively affect children's sleep, concentration, and physical activity. By limiting access to social media and the internet at an early age, they hope to reduce the risk of stress and mental health issues.
The recommendations are part of a larger effort to create a safer digital environment for children and adolescents in Sweden. The agency emphasizes that it is important for parents to be involved in what their children are doing online and to set clear limits on screen time.
This is now sparking a debate in society about how families should handle digital development. Many parents are asking themselves how they can best balance the need for contact with their children against the recommendations to limit technology use.
In summary, the goal of the new advice is to provide guidance to guardians in a time when digital tools are becoming increasingly common. The Public Health Agency hopes that these guidelines will contribute to children having a more balanced everyday life with more time for play, physical activity, and rest.