The WHO advises against the use of smartphones in children under two years old. Find out what the risks are and why it is better to avoid this habit
The World Health Organization launches yet another recommendation addressed to parents and guardians around the world: prohibit the use of smartphones to children under 2 years.
The danger, in fact, does not only concern the use of cell phones, as many speculate, but also tablets, TVs and anything that keeps the child glued to a chair. These devices, especially if used in the evening or before going to bed, would keep children active, ruining their sleep. In addition, they would steal sacred time from other more important activities: a nice walk, a few hours of play in the park, sports and so on. The WHO has published several recommendations focused on children’s quality of life. In the document, it clarifies how many hours of physical activity and sleep are recommended for toddlers.
Why does the WHO advise against smartphone use in children?
The WHO this week released a series of recommendations that aim to defend the physical and mental health of toddlers. According to the World Health Organization, putting a smartphone in a child’s little hands has negative consequences on their health. For this reason, it invites parents and guardians to totally avoid its use in children under two years of age. While those between two and five years old can use the devices or watch TV for a maximum of one hour per day.
These guidelines are much stricter than those previously published by other similar bodies. For example, in 2016, the American Academy of Pediatricians had recommended that children by 18 months should not use electronic screens, but beyond that age they could use them for up to two hours a day. In addition, the Academy also mentioned the type of content watched, for example, age-appropriate educational content and games or cartoons were recommended; violent or inappropriate content was absolutely prohibited. Even the presence and interaction of parents was essential: children should never be left alone in front of the screen, but parents should always guide them in watching cartoons or other content.
WHO: less smartphone more physical activity
The WHO does not demonize electronic screens but invites parents to reflect on their uselessness compared to a few hours of physical activity. The goal is to encourage children to acquire healthy lifestyle habits from an early age. For example, any sedentary activity should be limited to a few hours a day, while every day should include some sport or other diversion that includes physical movement and exploration of the world.
The WHO advises parents to devote at least 180 minutes a day to physical activity, whether it’s walking, sports or a few hours at the park with friends. This would prevent childhood obesity and associated diseases.
The hours of sleep in children recommended by the WHO
The hours of sleep are also important, they are the fuel needed to face each day with strength, concentration and energy. The WHO recommends that all children get a specific number of hours of sleep according to age. Children as young as two years old should get 11 to 14 hours of sleep a night, while those between three and four years old should sleep around 10 to 13 hours a night.
Juana Willumsen, head of childhood obesity at the WHO, says the main point of thinking is not so much to stop children using screens, but to channel those precious hours into more useful and healthy activities, thus protecting them from obesity and ensuring they get the right hours of sleep.