The Swedish government has issued an order to keep children away from television and smartphone screens until they turn 2 years old. The country’s government health authority confirmed this information in a statement on Monday.

The new order states that children should be completely away from television-mobile or such electronic gadget screens till they turn 2 years old and children aged 2 to 5 years should have a maximum of one hour a day, children and adolescents aged 6 to 12 years- Adolescent girls can spend a maximum of 2 hours a day and teenagers aged 13 to 18 can spend a maximum of three hours a day on television, smart phones or similar electronic gadgets.

In a statement on Monday, Sweden’s public healthcare authority said, “A recent study found that half of children and adolescents between the ages of 1 and 15 in Sweden suffer from sleep deprivation. As much sleep as they need at this age, they are not getting it. As a result, different physical and mental reactions are seen in them.”

“The main reason for this problem is excessive addiction to electronic gadgets like television and smartphones. Therefore, this order has been given with utmost importance to the health of children and adolescents.

The statement also advises children and teenagers to avoid watching television and mobile phone screens before going to bed at night, and to keep smartphones out of the bedroom at bedtime.

Sweden’s health department officials said they are also considering banning the use of smartphones in primary schools. They plan to issue orders in this regard soon.

Source: AFP