The World Health Organization publishes new guidelines on screen time for children

Before turning on another episode of Peppa PigConsider this: According to the new guidelines issued Wednesday by the World Health Organization (WHO), children under five should not have more than one hour of screening per day.

"Ensuring health for all means doing the best for health right from the beginning of people's lives," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, in a statement. Press release. when the family's lifestyle can be adapted to improve health. "

The guidelines recommend that children ages two to four do not spend more than one hour in front of screens every day (the WHO adds "less is better"). And for babies and young children up to the age of two, no screening time is recommended.

The WHO suggests that parents replace the time spent in front of the screen with more rewarding activities. "The sedentary quality devoted to interactive activities without a screen with a health care provider, such as reading, storytelling, singing and puzzles, are very important for the development of the child," said the # In his statement.

This is the first time WHO has published such standards for screen life that is healthy for children. Previously, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) had stated that infants under the age of two should avoid all screens, with the exception of video chat. The PAA, similar to the WHO, also recommended that children aged two to five be limited to one hour of "high quality programs".

In addition to its recommendations for screen time, the WHO also published guidelines on physical activity and sleep. Children ages one to five, for example, should do at least 180 minutes of physical activity each day and not be sedentary for more than one hour at a time.