Swedish mother raises son screen-free: 'It's gone very well'

In a society where screens dominate childhood, Molly Rosenström is raising her seven-year-old son, Nate, with a starkly different approach: virtually no screen time. Nate spends his evenings immersed in books, Lego, and board games, a lifestyle that defies the digital norm for his generation.

According to a report by the Internet Foundation, approximately 95% of children born between 2010 and 2019 engage with social media, with three out of four using it daily. This widespread digital immersion is prompting legislative action, as nearly all Swedish political parties support a proposed 15-year age limit for social media use.

Rosenström, who herself has a significant following of nearly 275,000 on TikTok, shares parenting advice online. She acknowledges the paradox but stresses the importance of avoiding a "double standard." "I am careful to also have rules for my own screen use," she told SvD, ensuring her son doesn't feel singled out while she is engrossed in her phone.

She frequently receives positive feedback from parents struggling with their children's screen addiction. Many express regret over granting early access to platforms like YouTube Kids, finding it difficult to curb usage once the dopamine-driven habit has taken hold. Rosenström feels validated in her decision, stating, "I am very grateful that we went this way. And so far, it has gone very well."

Rosenström, who experienced social media's pitfalls during her teenage years, including struggles with an eating disorder, believes today's platforms would have been detrimental to her younger self. She notes that social media has evolved from a simple communication tool to a vast information flow, potentially exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. Her experience reinforces her conviction that limiting early exposure is beneficial, though she acknowledges that every family's circumstances differ.

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