<h5>Guidelines issued by Sweden.</h5><p>Folkhälsomyndigheten, Sweden’s public health authority, recently issued guidelines on how parents should regulate screen time for children and teenagers.</p><p>The guidelines recommend that youngsters under the age of two should not have any screen exposure. For older children, screen time should be allocated according to their age group.</p><p>Children aged two to five should have no more than one hour of screen time per day. For those aged six to twelve, screen usage should be limited to two hours. Teens aged thirteen to eighteen should not exceed three hours of screen time daily.</p><p>The organisation has also advised parents to ponder how they use screen time with their children and to inform them what they do on their phones in the presence of their kids.</p><p>The health agency has also advised that children should not use screens, such as phones, tablets, laptops, etc., before bedtime, and such devices must be avoided in bedrooms at night.</p><p>These guidelines have been issued to protect children from the adverse effects of digital media and excessive screen time. The Swedish government also has plans to ban smartphones in primary schools.</p><h5>Effects of excessive screen time on children.</h5><figure class="image"><img alt="Phone.jpg" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/newsahoot.appspot.com/Phone_ab30fb385f.jpg"><figcaption>A kid using a phone. Photo by IndianWeb2.</figcaption></figure><p>Excessive screen media usage by children has raised public health issues since it might harm their cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Excessive screen time can also reduce interactions between children and their parents, negatively impacting their language development and growth.</p><p>Additionally, excessive screen usage can increase the chances of obesity, harm the eyes, and cause sleep disorders and mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.</p><p>For example, if your screen usage is high, you might not engage in physical activities, which can lead to weight gain. The light reflected from screens at night can make it difficult for you to sleep, making you feel tired and cranky.</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.newsahoot.com/articles/excessive-internet-use-affects-youngsters">Excessive internet usage by youngsters could lead to more addictive behaviours.</a> Internet addicts struggle with issues related to concentration, planning, and decision-making.</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.newsahoot.com/articles/psychologists-warn-that-social-media-may-harm-kids">Also, excessive social media use can cause mental health problems. </a>Kids can face bullying online and can have low self-esteem when comparing their lives with others, causing them emotional harm.</p><h5>There should be a balance.</h5><p>Finding a balance in screen usage among kids is a must. While using such devices can help with education, learning, etc., too much of it can be harmful.</p><p>So, to ensure a balanced development, you must also engage in other activities, such as pursuing a hobby, reading a book, playing outside with your friends, talking to your parents and siblings, etc.</p>

These have been issued to protect children from excessive screen time.

Sweden Issues New Screen Time Guidelines

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Sweden Issues New Screen Time Guidelines

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