A recent study published in June 2026 by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that children aged 5-17 who spend more than three hours per day on screens are at higher risk for obesity, sleep disturbances, and reduced physical activity. The research analyzed data from over 50,000 children across 20 countries.
Experts recommend that children limit recreational screen time to no more than two hours daily. The study found that those exceeding this threshold had a 30% higher likelihood of reporting poor sleep quality and a 25% increase in sedentary behavior.
Dr. Maria Lopez, a pediatrician at the University of Geneva, stated: 'Parents should encourage outdoor play and set consistent screen time boundaries. The evidence is clear that excessive use harms children's health.'
The findings align with previous WHO guidelines, which suggest that children should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day. The study did not specify which types of screen use were most harmful, but noted that passive consumption (e.g., watching videos) was more strongly associated with negative outcomes than interactive use (e.g., educational apps).
