Norway parents and experts advocate for smartphone-free childhoods

Health professionals and parent leaders in Norway are calling for stricter boundaries regarding children's smartphone use. Ruchi Sharma, a parent representative (FAU) leader, is spearheading the 'Smartphone-free childhood' initiative, which advocates for delaying smartphone and social media access until after primary school.

Sharma argues that early access is not conducive to physical, mental, or digital health. She has called for clearer government frameworks or legislation similar to age restrictions for driving or purchasing energy drinks to help parents manage social pressure. This movement follows recent support from over 500 psychologists and 1,400 doctors who have advocated for age limits on smartphone use.

In a related debate, health professionals are also discussing the balance between modern parenting styles and the necessity of setting clear boundaries. While acknowledging the shift away from authoritarian parenting, experts suggest that a lack of clarity in boundary-setting may be a consequence of parents fearing they are failing to provide emotional closeness and understanding.