'Put your phone away'- Sweden urges parents to restrict phone use around children

Source: Guardian

Sweden’s public health agency has urged parents to declare parts of the home phone-free and to put their mobile away when they are spending time with their children, after research showed the impact of adult screen use on children.

The agency began recommending two years ago that parents and guardians “reflect” on the amount of time they spent on their smartphones around children, but on Monday it issued new guidelines offering more concrete suggestions.

“Put your phone away when you’re with your child. Use it only if you need to or when you’re using it together,” the health authority said in a statement. Adults who “create good screen habits for themselves” would influence children’s habits, it added.

The agency also recommended that parents declare some parts of the home, such as the bedroom or around the dining table, “screen-free zones”, and urged parents to “protect and respect your child online. Think before posting pictures or videos.”

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/01/sweden-urges-parents-to-restrict-phone-use-around-children