THL's national digital recommendations were published in January – the recommendations are taken into account in Imatra's early childhood education and basic education digital strategies

The completed recommendations include a tightening of the recommended age limit for purchasing a smartphone, which is now 13 years.

The main goal of THL's recommendations is to promote children's overall well-being and learning. They also prevent the harm caused by the use of digital devices and content.

The recommendations concern age limits for the use of digital devices by children aged 0–13, recommended use of the devices, and characteristics of harmful and beneficial content. The recommendations concern children's free time, not, for example, homework or school-related tasks.

Recommendations in brief:

No screen time is recommended for children under 2 years old.
For 2–5 year olds, the recommended screen time is no more than one hour per day.
Screen time is recommended to be no more than one hour per day for 6–10 year olds and no more than two hours per day for 11–13 year olds. Adults should limit screen time if necessary.
It is not recommended for children under 13 to have their own smartphone.
Content used on a digital device should be appropriate and developmentally appropriate for the child. This means, for example, that age restrictions for digital games, television programs, and films must be followed, and the child must not be exposed to harmful content.
Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to use social media services.

The national early childhood education and curriculum guidelines oblige daycare centers and schools to practice digital skills as part of goal-oriented pedagogical activities.

– Imatra's digital strategies have been created to respond to this statutory task while ensuring that the use of technology in learning environments is balanced with the child's other growth, development and well-being, says the City of Imatra's Education and Youth Manager Minna Rovio.

Digital strategy for early childhood education and preschool education

The digital strategy for early childhood education and preschool education supports digital recommendations for leisure time by promoting the child's overall well-being and balanced everyday life.

Digital activities are limited and appropriate. The digital strategy ensures that technology use is always supervised and age-appropriate, which reinforces the goals of the THL recommendations on safe media use. It also supports caregivers by providing clear information on age limits, screen time and safe digital practices, making it easier for homes to follow the recommendations for free time.

Imatra's digital strategy for basic education

Digital guidelines have also been taken into account in the digital strategy for basic education of the City of Imatra. The strategy emphasizes that everything is based on cooperation between home and school.

Five points of the digital strategy:

Pedagogical purpose. The devices are only used to complete tasks assigned by teachers. The device is a learning tool that is always used to practice some skill.
Smooth use of equipment. The school practices future citizenship skills according to the curriculum.
Safety and media literacy. The school practices safe use of online services, critical media literacy, and information retrieval.
Night shutdown and restrictions. The machines are set to shut down at night. The device provided by the school is not intended for entertainment use and you cannot, for example, play games or use social media with school IDs.
Behaviors. Students are guided to good online behavior and supported in managing friendship skills, also online.

The City of Imatra's digital strategy for early childhood education and preschool education

More information about national digital recommendations In a joint press release from the National Board of Education and the National Institute for Health and Welfare.