World Health Organisation issues first guidelines for kids’ screen time

Babies younger than one year old should not be exposed to any electronic screens, according to new guidelines by the World Health Organisation.

Issuing its first such guidelines, the WHO has recommended the limit for two-to four-year-olds is an hour a day – or less is better. That includes, watching TV, using smartphones or tablets, and playing video games.

See the full WHO report here

The guidelines emphasized that young kids need be physically active and get enough sleep.

The recommendations focus on passive viewing and the WHO said healthy habits go a long way in preventing obesity and other diseases later in life.

The UN agency recommended that when children were sedentary, “engaging in reading and storytelling with a caregiver is encouraged”.

The WHO also stressed that children aged one to three should have at least three hours of physical activity and not be constrained in a stroller, car seat or carrier for more than one hour at a time.

It also recommended that children aged one to two should have 11 to 14 hours of sleep, and kids aged two to four ten to 13 hours a day, including daytime naps.

Via The Guardian