Israel leads in problematic social media usage: 16% of students are considered "addicted"

The Ministry of Health is publishing today (Thursday) a series of new recommendations to reduce the use of screens and social media among children and teenagers. Among other things, the ministry recommends waiting until age 13 before purchasing a smartphone for children, and not allowing connection to social media before age 15. At younger ages, the recommendations are even stricter: avoiding screens until age two and limiting to only one hour a day for children aged two to five.

The Ministry of Health now defines the use of screens and social media as a significant health issue, and not just a matter of behavior or online safety. "We identify it as a very important field, at a level that is truly critical in its impact on public health, on mental health, and on health in general," said the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Moshe Bar Siman-Tov.

According to him, unlike health risks such as smoking, in this case, it is impossible to recommend that the public simply avoid it completely. "It is not correct to tell the public not to use screens and social media at all, it is part of life," he explained. "Screens and social media change almost everything we do - physical activity, how much we eat, our sleep, cognitive development, and our mental health."

Six hours or more a day in front of a screen

The recommendations are published against the background of data according to which Israel is among the leading countries in problematic social media usage. According to HBSC research data for 2025, 16.3% of students in Israel are defined as addicted to electronic social media, and 28.7% of 7th-12th grade students spend six hours or more a day in front of screens outside of school hours.

"This is a health matter and not just a behavioral one," emphasized Bar Siman-Tov. According to him, the goal is not to scare parents but to give them tools to deal with a reality in which screens have become an inseparable part of family life. "We, as parents, feel helpless, whether it is before ourselves or before our children. We believe in the ability of parents and in the tools we will give them to deal with this."

According to the recommendations, until age two, exposure to screens should be avoided as much as possible, including screens operating in the background. At ages two to five, it is recommended to limit screen time to one hour a day, and at ages six to nine - to less than two hours a day in leisure time. For children aged 10 to 12, it is recommended to allow up to three hours of screen time a day in leisure time.

"In infancy, we recommend avoiding it completely if possible," explained Dr. Sharon Levy, Director of the Department of Health Education and Promotion at the Ministry of Health. "At this stage, the development of interpersonal connection and connection with parents is so unique and important. Even operating screens in the background can interfere with the quality of attention."

No screens in bedrooms

Among 13 to 18-year-olds, the emphasis changes. Instead of setting a uniform hourly limit, the ministry recommends focusing on the quality of content, reducing screen time, and ensuring that usage does not come at the expense of sleep, physical activity, and social meetings. It is also recommended to set fixed times without screens, including family meals, joint leisure, and time before sleep - and to avoid as much as possible bringing smartphones and laptops into children's bedrooms.

Regarding the first phone, the ministry also presents clear milestones: at ages 9 to 11, it is possible, depending on the need and the child's readiness, to start using a mobile phone that is not a smartphone. "The first smartphone is recommended to be delayed until age 13, and initially without access to social media," said Dr. Levy. "Connection to social media - not before age 15. Everything must be done with accompaniment, with rules and controls."

Dr. Gilad Bodenheimer, head of the Mental Health Division at the Ministry of Health, explained that alongside the advantages of technology, the use of screens may delay significant processes in child development. According to him, among the effects that must be taken into account are a decrease in physical activity, social isolation, and damage to body image and eating habits.

Dr. Bodenheimer emphasized in particular the role of parents in the matter. "Unlike many other things in parenting where we received a legacy from our parents and grandparents, here we have nothing to inherit. We did not receive a teaching from grandma about how to conduct ourselves in front of a screen," he said. "Our role as parents is to be present. We need to understand that we have the ability to influence screen time and the places where our children surf. A parent must be involved and know where the child is surfing."

According to him, there is no intention to dismiss the use of screens outright, but to gradually create control and responsibility. "We understand that this world includes many positive values, but alongside this, a approach that helps control usage is necessary. We can manage it together with the children and reach control, responsibility, authority, and parental presence during the child's screen time."

Negative impact on sleep

In the ministry, they also warn about the impact on sleep: using screens in the hours before sleep may delay falling asleep and impair the quality and duration of sleep, and subsequently cause fatigue, concentration difficulties, and damage to emotional regulation.

In the Ministry of Health, they clarify that the publication of the recommendations is only the beginning of the move. "This is not a one-off event," said Bar Siman-Tov. "Screens are constantly in our lives and we are creating another field of activity in public health and mental health. This will enter our system and grow."

The move is expected to include, according to him, also an examination of regulatory steps. "Awareness needs to be increased and tools given, but it will have to be backed by regulation," he said. "We will need to create the Israeli version. This is not something the Ministry of Health can do alone, but it is part of our responsibility to push for action on this issue."