Surgeon General's advisory warns of how excessive screen time can harm kids

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a surgeon general’s advisory on Wednesday warning that excessive screen time harms children and teens, becoming a public health concern. The report highlights that screen exposure often begins before age one and increases with age, with adolescents spending more time on screens than sleeping or attending school. By adolescence, average daily screen time reaches four or more hours, and nearly half of teens admit losing track of their phone usage. The advisory links screen time to worse sleep, poorer school performance, reduced physical activity, and weakened in-person relationships. It provides recommendations, including no screen time for children under 18 months, less than one hour per day for ages under six, and two hours per day for ages six to 18. The report also emphasizes that screen time extends beyond social media to gaming, online gambling, and other digital interactions. The advisory includes ‘calls to action’ for multiple groups: youth are encouraged to track screen time and set boundaries, while families should create media plans. Schools are urged to implement cell phone restrictions and prioritize non-digital assignments. Healthcare providers should screen for excessive screen use during well-child visits, and researchers must study long-term impacts. Policymakers are called to pass laws supporting parental controls and child safety protections, while tech companies are urged to display usage warnings and enforce age minimums. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that while screens offer benefits, evidence of risks to children’s health is growing. The advisory frames the issue as an invitation to engage with the broader world beyond screens.