theguardian.com
Spain Experts Call for Smartphone Warning Labels, Screen Time Limits for Children
A Spanish expert committee recommends warning labels on smartphones sold in Spain, stricter limits on children's screen time (no screens under 3, limited use until 12), and integrating screen-time questions into health checkups, citing a public health concern over technology use and access to pornography among minors.
English
United Kingdom
European Association For Digital Transition
Pedro Sánchez
- How does the report link the issue of children's access to online pornography to the broader problem of excessive technology use?
- The report connects rising child pornography access (nearly half of 15-year-olds) to broader concerns about excessive digital device use. It links this to potential public health issues like addiction, depression, and anxiety, advocating for preventive measures and early detection. The recommendations aim to mitigate these impacts by controlling screen time and improving parental guidance.
- What are the potential long-term societal and developmental impacts of implementing the committee's recommendations regarding children's access to technology?
- The report's impact could reshape Spain's approach to children and technology, influencing policy, public awareness, and parental practices. Long-term, this could affect children's development, mental health, and overall well-being. The success hinges on the government's adoption of the recommendations and the effectiveness of education and preventive campaigns.
- What immediate actions does the Spanish expert committee recommend to address the growing concerns about children's exposure to technology and its potential health impacts?
- A Spanish expert committee recommends warning labels on smartphones about health risks, limiting children's screen time, and integrating screen-time questions into health checkups. The report, prompted by concerns over child pornography access, advocates for no screen time under age three and limited use of "dumb phones" until age 12. This follows a similar French recommendation and Spain's draft law to protect minors online.