Sweden's public health agency has issued new guidelines urging parents to put away their phones when spending time with their children and to create screen-free zones at home. The recommendations come after research showed that adult screen use can negatively affect interactions with children and influence their screen habits.
New Guidelines for Parents
The agency, which initially advised parents to reflect on their smartphone usage around children two years ago, now offers more concrete suggestions. In a statement, it said: "Put your phone away when you're with your child. Use it only if you need to or when you're using it together." It also emphasized that adults who "create good screen habits for themselves" would positively influence their children's habits.
Screen-Free Zones and Online Respect
The agency recommends designating certain areas of the home, such as bedrooms or dining tables, as "screen-free zones." Additionally, parents are urged to "protect and respect your child online. Think before posting pictures or videos."
Research Findings
The Swedish government commissioned the public health agency last autumn to investigate the connection between children's health and parental screen time. The research showed that parents' screen use could harm their interactions with children and that children of heavy users often develop similar screen habits.
Minister of Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed told SVT: "I don't think people realise that [their screen use] affects children to the extent that we now know that it does."
Helena Frielingsdorf, a psychiatrist and researcher at the agency, noted that children are affected "not only by what adults say, but also by what adults do. That's why small changes in everyday life can make a difference, both for interactions in the present and for the child's own habits over time."
Previous Guidelines for Children
Sweden has previously published screen time limits for children: no screen time for children under two, up to one hour per day for ages two to five, two hours for ages six to 12, and three hours for ages 13 to 18. The guidelines also advise avoiding digital devices before bedtime and keeping phones, tablets, and computers out of bedrooms at night.
National School Smartphone Ban
Sweden is implementing a national school smartphone ban as part of its Education Act. From the start of the 2026-27 autumn term, mobile phones will be banned in schools for children up to grade nine (ages 15-16).
