Overview
Sweden’s government has given Folkhälsomyndigheten, the Public Health Agency, its first formal mandate to examine adults’ screen time and its potential impact on children. The aim is to gather existing knowledge, then translate it into practical guidance for families, early childhood services, and care settings.
Why now
Newer research points to possible links between how adults use screens and various aspects of children’s health. Forssmed notes that even if the evidence is not yet definitive, there is a growing body of work suggesting that heavy adult screen use can influence attachment between parent and child, language development, and children’s behavior. The concern is not about blaming parents but about understanding everyday dynamics in households where devices are omnipresent.
What the mandate covers
The agency’s task has several components. First, it will synthesize and update what is already known about adult screen time and its potential effects on child health. Second, it will think about how to communicate this information to a broad audience, including parents, child-health services, and preschools. Third, it will explore practical ways of integrating guidance into existing services such as BVC (child health centers) and parental support groups.
Is this about setting time limits for adults?
In contrast to guidelines for children, Forssmed suggests that the goal for adults may not be rigid thresholds. The emphasis is more on awareness and realistic strategies for managing technology in different situations, and identifying moments when it is beneficial to put the phone aside. The approach is not about shaming parents but helping families navigate technology in ways that support healthy development.
What might be produced
While the exact format is still to be decided, the mandate includes disseminating information widely. Potential outputs could include brochures, digital resources, and targeted outreach in BVC settings and parental groups. The objective is to provide useful, practical guidance—without prescribing a one-size-fits-all rule for every household.
Implications for families and care settings
Guidance from the Public Health Agency could help parents, caregivers, and educators recognize everyday patterns that could influence young children’s development. For example, strategies to create device-free moments during key interactions, or to design routines that balance digital and human contact, may support secure attachment, language growth, and positive behavior. Importantly, the initiative aims to avoid blame and instead offer supportive resources that align with families’ realities.
Timeline and next steps
The agency will work on the assignment through to June 1 of the following year. During this period, it will compile the knowledge base, consider dissemination channels, and determine the concrete tools that will best reach families, BVC staff, and early-childhood education providers.
Context within broader public health efforts
This investigation builds on existing public health guidance focused on youth and technology, extending attention to the adult behaviors that shape children’s early experiences. By translating research into practical, non-judgmental strategies, the effort seeks to support healthier family dynamics in a tech-saturated era.
