Government to investigate adults' screen time
The Swedish government has decided to investigate adults' screen time due to concerns about its effects on health and society. Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed announced that a special investigator will be appointed. The report is expected by December 2025.
The Swedish government has initiated an investigation into adults' screen time, focusing on how increased digital usage affects individuals and society. The decision follows previous inquiries primarily targeting children's and young people's screen habits, but now extends to adults. Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed announced on Wednesday that a special investigator will be appointed to map the extent and consequences of screen time.
The investigation will examine how screen time impacts physical and mental health, including sleep disturbances and mental ill-health, as well as societal effects like productivity and relationships. According to the government, screen time has increased markedly in recent years, especially during the pandemic, and there is insufficient knowledge about long-term risks for adults. Forssmed emphasized the importance of promoting healthy digital habits: "We need better data to provide advice on how we can use digital technology well, without it harming our health."
The investigator is to deliver their report no later than December 19, 2025. The mandate includes proposing measures, such as recommendations or policy suggestions, to mitigate negative effects. The background to the initiative is growing reports of health issues linked to screens, such as nearsightedness, stress, and reduced physical activity. Both sources, Aftonbladet and Dagens Nyheter, report uniformly on the decision without contradictions in details.