Slovakia has published its first official recommendations on healthy screen use for children. Experts warn that screens act as a “super-stimulant,” and research shows nearly half of Slovak kids spend more than four hours a day in front of them.
Children’s Commissioner Jozef Mikloško says around a quarter of Slovak children already show signs of addiction. He stresses that under-threes should have zero screen time. The fact that toddlers can so often be seen with devices in restaurants or on trains, he says, is alarming – both here and worldwide.
Also for children aged three to six, paediatricians and child psychiatrists advise no more than half an hour a day, and not every day.
Paediatrician Beáta Kartousová, a co-author of the guidelines, explains that early childhood is when the brain is the most plastic. She says the foundation of learning is free play – not mobiles or random apps – and urges parents to see restrictions as an investment in healthy development.
With teenagers, parents are encouraged to talk openly about risks such as social media, pornography, and other online threats. Clear rules are still key: experts say if phone use is restricted, it can take about four weeks before the craving starts to ease.
Psychiatrist Zuzana Matzová advises patience, and recommends helping teens find alternative activities together. She also warns against giving children devices before school or kindergarten, as this can kill motivation for other tasks right from the morning.
The experts stress that the aim is not to make parents feel guilty, but to help families use technology responsibly. The full guide is available online via the Commissioner for Children Office and the Research Institute of Child Psychology and Pathopsychology, with support from the health and education ministries.
Source: STVR
