Surgeon general advisory raises concern about screen time for children and teenagers

Published May 20, 2026 4:14pm ET | Updated May 20, 2026 4:14pm ET



The Trump administration issued a surgeon general’s advisory for parents, schools, and communities to limit screen time for children and adolescents, as a growing body of evidence suggests too much technology use can harm cognitive development and mental health. 

The 43-page advisory warns that exposure to screens often begins before a child’s first birthday and only increases with age, putting them at lifelong risk for negative health outcomes.

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