Sweden urges parents to restrict screen use around children

Sweden has issued new guidance urging parents to cut back on their own smartphone use around children, following research showing that adults’ screen habits can negatively affect child development and family interactions. The country’s Public Health Agency is encouraging parents to put their phones away during family time, create phone-free areas in the home such as bedrooms and dining tables, and be more mindful about sharing photos and videos of their children online. Officials say children often mirror the behaviour they see, making parental screen habits a key factor in shaping healthy digital routines. The recommendations form part of a broader Swedish push to reduce excessive screen use among young people. The guidance follows a government-backed review that found heavy parental phone use can weaken parent-child engagement and is linked to higher screen use among children. Sweden has already introduced age-based screen time recommendations for children and will implement a nationwide smartphone ban in schools for pupils up to age 15–16 from the 2026–27 academic year, reflecting growing concerns about the impact of digital devices on children’s wellbeing, sleep and development. Read more here.