Too much screen time could be harmful to children, new advice warns. Here’s what to know.
WASHINGTON — Increasingly, the public is seeing how much time children and teens are spending on screens healthy In a statement, the Surgeon General said it was concerning New consultation.
Health experts at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the recommendation Wednesday as the Surgeon General position is currently vacant.
this consult Warning that too much screen time or online time can lead to poor sleeping and eating habits, as well as mental health effects such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even drug use.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy said the recommendation covers the “entire digital ecosystem,” including apps, smartphones, tablets, chatbots, video games, social media and other screen-related devices and interfaces.
“While there are some benefits to screen use, there is growing evidence that it carries a range of risks to children’s overall mental and physical health,” he told the consultation. “This advice is not just a warning but an invitation for us all to move beyond the limitations of screens and enjoy the wider world.”
the consultation, and Guidance Toolkitencourages parents to set good behavior examples for their children, “extend as much screen time as possible” and encourage children to “turn off the screen and turn on the brain and body so that we can live a real life.”
The toolkit also provides guidance for schools, technology companies, doctors, parents and children. The guidance encourages doctors to ask about screen use during annual exams and schools to ban cellphone use in classrooms.
In recent years, there have been increasing attempts to limit screen time. According to statistics, by February 2026, 41 states have enacted laws or policies related to K-12 students’ use of mobile phones in schools Voting Encyclopedia.
In January, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a study Digital ecosystems that prioritize engagement often encourage prolonged use, which can “displace healthy behaviors and lead to negative outcomes,” they said.
Experts encourage people not to be afraid of screen time, as some screen time can support learning, friendships and overall well-being.
Courtney Blackwell, Ph.D., associate professor of medical social sciences Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineTell CNN parents should not limit all screen media because not all media is harmful.
“Screen media can have positive uses, like ‘Sesame Street,'” she said. “It’s not just how long children spend on screens, but how they use them and the context in which they use them.”
