Norwegian authorities set limits. How much time can your child spend in front of a screen?
Norwegian authorities have published new guidelines on screen time for children and young people. The rules cover people from birth to the age of 18. They apply both to leisure time at home and time spent in educational institutions.
children learning on a tablet
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The new recommendations were developed by Norwegian institutions such as Medietilsynet, Helsedirektoratet, Utdanningsdirektoratet and Bufdir. The police also supported this work. The guidelines apply at home, in kindergarten, in after-school programmes (SFO) and at school. Helsedirektoratet, the Directorate of Health, highlights an important point. The limits apply only to children’s and young people’s leisure time. They cover time outside kindergarten, school, homework and paid work. The authorities acknowledge that there is a lack of high-quality scientific research on the impact of screens on development. However, they note that drastically reducing screen time for young children is likely to reduce aggressive behaviour.
Age limits. How many minutes a day are recommended?
Norwegian authorities specify exactly how much time children may spend using devices. The limits increase with the child’s age.
- Children under the age of 2: should avoid using screens completely.
- Children aged 2 to 5: a maximum of 30 to 60 minutes a day during leisure time.
- Children aged 6 to 12: a maximum of 1 to 1.5 hours a day outside school hours.
- Young people aged 13 to 18: a maximum of 1.5 to 3 hours a day outside school.
Exceptions to the rule. When is screen use allowed?
Children under the age of two develop best without access to screens. However, if they use them, they must do so only with an adult present. They should watch only ad-free educational content. Platforms with autoplay, such as YouTube, should be avoided. Relaxed rules also apply to educational institutions. In kindergarten, screens may be used for children aged 2 to 5. However, these must be short sessions used solely for educational purposes, for example to read digital books.
Apps and emotions. What should be avoided at home?
Norwegian authorities warn against popular apps such as TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat. They can be addictive, display frightening videos and make it easier for dangerous adults to contact children. Children should not use these platforms, as well as Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, before reaching the required age. If your child is between 6 and 12 years old and uses screens, they should avoid social media entirely. The authorities also recommend delaying the time when a child gets their own smartphone. This protects them from harmful content. Screens should not be used as a tool for comforting children. When a child is sad or angry, adults should not distract them with a device. Instead, simply giving them a hug is recommended. The recommendations also include sleep hygiene. Screen use should be avoided during the last hour before the child goes to bed. The bedroom should be a device-free zone, and young people should not keep their phone by the bed. As a parent, you can also block the ability to spend money in games, turn off chats and block inappropriate websites.
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