Public Health Agency issues new advice: Put away your phone when you are with your children
The Public Health Agency has published new recommendations aimed at parents in Sweden. The agency emphasizes the importance of adults being more present when interacting with their children and suggests that parents should reduce their use of mobile phones when spending time with the family.
According to the agency, mobile phone use can negatively affect the interaction between parent and child. When an adult is preoccupied with their screen, it can become more difficult to perceive the child's signals, needs, and emotions. This, in turn, can affect the child's sense of security and development in the long term.
The new advice is not about banning technology entirely, but about creating a balance in everyday life. The Public Health Agency suggests that parents create mobile-free zones or times during the day when the focus is entirely on the children. This could, for example, involve mealtimes or moments at bedtime.
The purpose of the initiative is to strengthen the relationship between parents and children by increasing shared time without digital distractions. The agency hopes that this advice will serve as support for parents in an everyday life where technology often takes up a lot of space.
In summary, the message from the Public Health Agency is clear: by putting away the mobile phone, parents give their children better conditions for a secure and close connection. The advice is part of ongoing efforts to promote good mental health among children and young people in Sweden.