Children at camp Barnens Ö near Stockholm experience limited screen time amid health concerns in Sweden

For just three sessions of fifteen minutes over two weeks, children at the camp Barnens Ö near Stockholm are limited in their mobile phone use, contrasting with their regular school schedule where they can use devices during every break. The camp aims to create a nearly mobile-free environment, according to camp leader Rebecka Zeidan Mellqvist, who noted that previous one-hour screen times affected the children’s immersion in the camp experience, allowing distractions such as TikTok.

Recent guidelines issued by Sweden’s Public Health Agency indicate that excessive screen time negatively impacts children’s sleep and may lead to increased depressive symptoms. Following the release of this report, which the government commissioned, new recommendations regarding screen use for children and adolescents are anticipated after the summer.

Several children attending the camp expressed insights on the addictive nature of screens when left unchecked. Ten-year-old Inez Engström commented, “When you’re on your phone, you feel trapped and can never stop.”

The findings from the Public Health Agency show that prolonged screen time detracts from the sleep quality of children and adolescents and can elevate body dissatisfaction among those aged 10 to 18. Moreover, children with high screen usage are reported to have a higher incidence of obesity and physical symptoms, such as headaches and back pain, while parents of young children (under five) who use digital media can struggle with responsiveness and interaction. The report also notes that high screen time may adversely affect sleep and lead to increased aggression in very young children.