Sweden Urges Zero Screen Time for Toddlers

Sweden has introduced new guidelines suggesting children under 2 should not be exposed to any digital screens. Scandinavian country's public health agency released the recommendations earlier this month. For children aged 2 to 5, screen time should be limited to one hour a day. This allowance increases incrementally for older children, with teens recommended a maximum of three hours daily.

Research highlights negative impacts of excessive screen use on children, including poorer sleep and decreased physical activity. Similar recommendations have emerged globally, with France being the toughest, advising that children under 3 should avoid screens entirely. A report by UNESCO in 2023 emphasized the detrimental effects of digital overuse despite the benefits of technology in education. In the US, many schools have implemented cellphone bans, though enforcement remains inconsistent, and parents have expressed fears such bans would keep them from communicating with their kids in the event of a school shooting. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)