Recommendations
The Government attaches great importance to the impact of screen and social media use on the physical and mental development of children and adolescents. The Department of Health (DH) convened the Advisory Group on Health Effects of Use of Internet and Electronic Screen Products in 2013 and published the “Report of Advisory Group on Health Effects of Use of Internet and Electronic Screen Products” in 2014, which provided recommendations on healthy use of the internet and electronic screen products for children, adolescents, parents and teachers. With reference to international guidelines, the DH updated the health advice on the use of electronic screen products in 2018. The existing recommendations are similar to Chinese Mainland and international guidelines.
Advisory Group on Health Effects of Screen and Social Media Use for Children and Adolescents
In response to growing concern regarding screen and social media use among children and adolescents, “The Chief Executive’s 2025 Policy Address” announced that the DH would convene an interdepartmental expert advisory group to review the latest scientific evidence on health effects of screen and social media use, and update the related recommendations.
The DH established the Advisory Group on Health Effects of Screen and Social Media Use for Children and Adolescents in October 2025 to review the latest scientific evidence, developments and experiences in other countries and regions, and will integrate expert opinions to update the relevant health recommendations as appropriate.
Health Tips
- Be physically active; consecutive use for more than one hour of internet and other electronic screen products is discouraged
- Engage in interactive activities in real life
- Limit screen time
- Under 2 years old: Avoid contact with any electronic screen products except for interactive video-chatting under parents’ guidance
- 2 to 5 years old: Limit screen time to one hour a day; Screen activities should be interactive and educational, and under guidance by parents or teachers
- 6 to 12 years old: Limit recreational screen time to less than two hours a day
- 12 to 18 years old: Adolescents should learn good time management, and take regular breaks if prolonged screen time for study purpose is unavoidable
- Follow the 20-20-20 rule: take a 20-second break to view something at least 20 feet away for every 20 minutes
- 30-40-50 principle: keep a reading distance no less than 30cm for smartphones, 40cm for tablet personal computers and 50cm for computers
- Protect hearing, prevent accident and pay attention to hygiene
- Ensure adequate sleep time and appropriate environment
- Be aware of cyber-safety
- Behave oneself when using internet and social networking sites
- Restrict access to inappropriate content
Recommendations (2018 version)
