Danish specialists offer guidance for parents on the appropriate screen usage for their children
Screen Time for Kids in Denmark: Expert Advice for Parents
Denmark is moving towards stricter use of screens for children, with the education ministry aiming to limit phone and tablet usage. But what should parents do? Here are some insights from Danish experts.
Just over a year ago, child welfare charity, Børns Vilkår, recommended no child be exposed to digital device screens until they're at least two years old. As for older children, screen use in schools is being tightened, with social media blocked in Copenhagen schools, and recommendations for restricted internet usage during upper secondary school lessons.
Research shows that screen time is affecting the sleep habits of children and adolescents. With increased screen time comes a decline in face-to-face interactions. Children can encounter harmful content online, leaving them vulnerable.
To protect their children, experts advise parents to take the same approach to their digital activities as they do their physical activities. Adhere to age restrictions on social media, apps, and similar platforms. Make family-wide agreements on screen use, such as leaving phones in the hallway while spending time together.
Parents should also act as good role models for their children, fostering responsible use of digital devices. Digital media expert Kathrine Elmose Jørgensen recommends understanding the digital activities that matter to your child, such as gaming, social media, or creative videos on YouTube.
In broader terms, Denmark's approach involves limiting screen time, especially in educational settings, and promoting alternative activities that foster healthy development. The Nordic countries, including Denmark, have launched recommendations for digital media and screen use among children, often focusing on limiting screen time and promoting physical or creative activities. To achieve this, parents can follow the Danish Way of Parenting, which emphasizes practical strategies for managing screen time and promoting holistic growth.
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- The education ministry in Denmark is advocated stricter use of screens for children, including limiting phone and tablet usage, particularly in schools such as Copenhagen where social media is blocked.
- Experts advise parents to agree on family-wide screen usage policies, such as leaving phones in the hallway during family time, and to adhere to age restrictions on digital platforms.
- Digital media expert Kathrine Elmose Jørgensen suggests parents understand their child's digital activities, like gaming, social media, or YouTube videos, and serve as good role models for responsible device usage.
- Denmark's approach to screen time involves promoting alternative activities, like physical or creative ones, that foster healthy development in children and adolescents.
- To help limit screen time and encourage holistic growth, parents can follow the Danish Way of Parenting, which offers practical strategies for managing screen time and nurturing overall development.
