Sedentary behaviour on the rise, children and young people sleeping poorly, increased mental ill-health are consequences of digital and social media. This emerges in a new report from the Public Health Authority.
Now we have it in black and white that the concern about the potentially harmful health effects is not moral panic but a real issue. We must acknowledge that what we have just let happen must be taken seriously, says Minister for Health and Social Affairs Jakob Forssmed (KD).
The Public Health Authority's comprehensive knowledge review of children's use of digital media was presented on Monday. Among other things, children and young people have shared their experiences. They feel that they get stuck in using digital media at the expense of sleep, relationships, and physical activity. Children with ADHD diagnoses are more easily negatively affected.
I want to give a pat on the back to try to do what one can to ensure that children sleep properly, move more, but also an understanding that this is difficult. These are powerful products we are dealing with, and it is not easy to limit this.
It was last year that the Public Health Authority was commissioned to compile knowledge about the connections between digital media use and health effects in children and young people, as well as to develop guidance and recommendations.
The recommendations are to be presented in September and the guidance in December.
