Recommendations for use of digital media among children and young people

The Public Health Agency of Sweden has been commissioned by the government to draw up recommendations for the healthy, balanced use of digital media among children and young people. The recommendations were presented in September 2024, and by the end of the year the agency will issue more detailed guidance on implementing the recommendations.

The recommendations  are based on current research, data from national questionnaire-based surveys and perspectives from focus groups of children, young people and parents, earlier published in a knowledge review.

The recommendations focus on the use of digital media during leisure time, i.e. social media, video sharing services, computer games and other forms of recreation and entertainment. The recommendations concerning children up to 12 years of age are primarily addressed to parents and other adults who meet the children in their everyday lives. Those concerning older children (13–18 years) address the children themselves, but there is also information on how guardians or parents can support their young people to follow the recommendations.

The recommendations for children over twelve include advice on screen use, for example the question of the mobile phone or playing takes time away from other things that the young person would feel good about. Furthermore, the importance of contributing to a nice climate online by having a good tone towards others, to seek support from adults if you are subjected to bullying or unpleasant contact attempts. The advice emphasizes the importance of finding balance in one´s everyday life, so that there is enough time for school work, sleep, exercise, leisure activities and spending time with friends and family.

A national health programme for children and young people

In August 2023, the National Board of Health and Welfare received the government's task to draw up a national health programme for children and young people up to and including the age of 20. Together with the National Board of Health and Welfare, five other government agencies are involved in the work: the National Agency for Education, the Public Health Agency of Sweden, the Family Law and Parental Support Authority, the National Agency for Special Needs Education and Schools and
the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services.

The work includes expert groups with children and young people which will discuss and illuminate the needs of children and young people. Children and young people aged 4–20 participate. There are currently five expert groups with children and young people. The expert groups are part of a larger investment by the National Board of Health and Welfare to involve children and young people in the agency's work.

The intention of the national health programme is to ensure that children and young people grow, develop and feel well, and to strengthen the network that catches those who do not. The programme is going to consist of regular health visits with examinations and conversations with children and young people about how they are doing, and of various forms of parenting support. When completed, the programme will show when these meetings and conversations shall take place, and contribute to greater clarity in who is responsible for what. The health programme for children and young people is part of the ongoing transition to good and close care. Final reporting must be made to the Ministry of Social Affairs by 31 October 2026 at the latest.