Israel's Health Ministry Issues New Screen Time Guidelines for Children

Israel's Ministry of Health has released updated recommendations aimed at promoting balanced and age-appropriate use of screens and social media among children and adolescents. The guidelines emphasize that excessive screen time impacts not only online safety but also physical and mental health.

Key recommendations include limiting screen time based on age and delaying social media access until age 15, contingent on the child's maturity. Data from the 2025 HBSC study in Israel indicates that 28.7% of students in grades 7-12 spend six or more hours daily on screens outside of school hours. Furthermore, 16.3% of Israeli students exhibit signs of electronic social media addiction, with girls reporting higher rates of prolonged screen use (32.7%) compared to boys (24.6%).

The ministry advises complete avoidance of screens for infants and toddlers up to age two, except for supervised video calls. For children aged two to five, screen time should be limited to one hour daily with high-quality, age-appropriate content, mediated by an adult. School-aged children (6-9) should have less than two hours of recreational screen time, while those aged 10-12 can have up to three hours with established boundaries and content selection. For teenagers aged 13-18, the focus shifts to content quality, reducing overall screen time, and ensuring it doesn't interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Regarding device ownership, the ministry suggests considering a basic mobile phone for children aged 9-11, depending on need and readiness. Smartphones are recommended no earlier than age 13, initially without social media access, with parental involvement in app installation. Social media access is advised no sooner than age 15, with clear rules, parental guidance, and digital controls.

Crucially, the ministry recommends keeping screens out of bedrooms and ceasing use at least one to two hours before bedtime to preserve sleep quality. Establishing screen-free times during meals and family activities is also encouraged. The guidelines acknowledge parental challenges in enforcing rules and stress the importance of parental role modeling, open communication, and explaining the rationale behind the limits.