Israel’s Health Ministry is launching a broad initiative aimed at encouraging healthier screen habits among children and teenagers as concerns grow over the amount of time young people spend on digital devices. The new guidelines are designed to establish age-appropriate limits and give parents greater control over their children’s digital exposure. The ministry says the issue goes beyond technology and online safety, directly affecting children’s physical and mental health.
The recommendations are based on research linking prolonged screen use with poorer sleep, concerns over body image, increased symptoms associated with eating disorders, emotional distress and fear of missing out. In a survey of 752 parents of children up to age 18, managing screen time was identified as the health issue causing them the greatest concern.
International research conducted in 2025 in cooperation with Bar-Ilan University found that 16.3% of students in Israel were classified as being “addicted" to social media, placing Israel among the countries with the highest rates out of the 60 countries examined. The research also found that approximately 28.7% of middle- and high-school students spend at least six hours of their leisure time in front of screens, with particularly high rates among younger girls.
Under the new recommendations, children up to age two should have no exposure to screens, including devices operating in the background. Children ages two to five should have no more than one hour of screen time per day, under adult supervision. The recommended limits rise to two hours for ages 6-9 and three hours for ages 10-12. For teenagers, the emphasis shifts toward monitoring content, establishing boundaries and maintaining parental involvement.
The ministry also recommends delaying children’s access to personal devices. A first mobile phone, preferably a basic device without smartphone capabilities, is recommended only around ages 9-11. Smartphones should generally be introduced from age 13, initially without access to social media applications. Access to social networks is recommended from age 15, depending on the child’s emotional readiness and with filtering tools and parental guidance.
The Health Ministry warns that excessive screen exposure can have different effects at different stages of development. “In early childhood, excessive exposure may delay language and cognitive development," the ministry said. Among older children and teenagers, it can disrupt sleep, reduce time available for physical activity and increase the risk of overweight and poorer academic performance. The ministry also warned that heavy screen use may contribute to higher rates of anxiety and depression while weakening face-to-face social skills, reinforcing the need for parents to set clear boundaries around children’s digital lives.