HHS provides guidance and tools to address harms from screen use in children and teens.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of the Surgeon General released an advisory and toolkit discussing potential effects of excessive screen use among children and adolescents.
“Children today spend more time on screens than sleeping, exercising, or engaging face-to-face with family and friends — and we are seeing the consequences in rising rates of anxiety, depression, obesity, and developmental challenges,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
“We are calling for urgent action to protect children at home, in schools, and across platforms,” said Dr. Stephanie Haridoplos, Director of National Health Communications for the Office of the Surgeon General. “We want children to live real life, not be pulled into harmful environments online. This Advisory gives families and communities the guidance they need. History will judge us not only by the steps we took, but by the inaction we allowed.”
The advisory identifies warning signs such as withdrawal from offline activities, secrecy about online behavior, irritability when devices are removed, and unsuccessful attempts to reduce screen time. The toolkit recommends actions for families, schools, policymakers, and technology companies, including limiting non‑instructional device use in schools, strengthening digital education, improving online protections, supporting research, and simplifying safety tools for users.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Kennedy and HHS officials as they address children’s health, digital habits, and family well‑being.
- For parents, educators, schools, and community organizations seeking balanced approaches to technology use, learning, and healthy development.
- For discernment for technology leaders and legislators as they review policies regarding child safety, privacy, and long‑term health outcomes.
Sources: Department of Health and Human Services
