Smartphones and the development of the brain in children and youth
The human brain develops until the age of 25. How the brain is used during these years is crucial for the overall development of a child and adolescent, for learning, and for the development of thinking – for overall well-being. Smart devices carry a high risk of addiction, and they easily steal time from other important activities that support growth.
Read more about why the brain should be protected from excessive smartphone use (pdf).
Research-based recommendations
The goal of these recommendations is to help children, young people, and above all, guardians set limits on the use of smartphones within the family to protect the brain from excessive and harmful strain. We hope that the recommendations will be adopted as a family. The role and example of adults are important in encouraging children and young people to reduce their smartphone use.
- National recommendations for the use of smartphones for children, adolescents and parents (English, pdf)
- Justifications of the recommendations (English, pdf)
- Brain development during childhood and adolescence and smartphones (English, pdf)
Videos (in Finnish)
The Parents' Union Vanhempainliitto has created models for parent meetings to implement the national smartphone recommendations.
- Smart phone usage Parent meeting model for preschool
- Smart phone usage Parent meeting model for elementary school
- Smart phone usage Parent meeting model for middle school
The Parents' Union is collaborating with the National Brain Health Programme to protect the brain health of children and young people.
The recommendations are strongly supported by research evidence.
The recommendations were developed by experts based on the latest research evidence.
