Israel Faces Alarming Screen Addiction Among Youth, Health Ministry Issues Guidelines

The Israeli Ministry of Health has released recommendations for parents regarding children's screen time, as a 2025 World Health Organization report indicated that 16.3% of Israeli children and adolescents are considered addicted to screens. This addiction is defined as an uncontrollable urge to use screens, prioritized over essential activities. Even without full addiction, a significant portion of middle and high school students spend at least six hours daily on screens outside of school. The problem is exacerbated by the content consumed, which often includes pornography and fast-paced, endless videos, rather than educational material. The Ministry's guidelines suggest no screen time for children under two, one hour daily for ages two to five (with co-viewing), two hours for elementary school students, and three hours for ages 10-12, all with parental supervision and content monitoring. For teenagers, family rules around meals and bedtime are advised, alongside encouraging alternative healthy activities like sports, nature, and social interaction. Parents are also urged to model responsible screen use themselves and maintain open communication with their children.

However, the article argues that these recommendations are insufficient, stating that regulatory responsibility cannot be solely placed on parents, who are already burdened by work, financial pressures, and family care. The author calls for effective, clear regulation and enforcement directed at social media companies themselves, not parents. Global research links prolonged social media use to negative mental health outcomes, sleep disturbances, and eating disorders. A US court in New Mexico ruled in August 2026 that Meta (Facebook, Instagram) is liable for intentionally designing addictive features, imposing a $576 million fine and mandating product redesigns, including age restrictions, limiting like counts, and capping screen time for teens. The European Union is also moving towards similar legislation, proposing a ban on social media for children under 13 and supervised, controlled access for those aged 13-18, with restrictions on personalized advertising and influencer roles. The EU emphasizes that the burden of ensuring online safety lies with digital platforms, not children or parents.