United Kingdom has released new screen time guidance for under-5s in response to growing concerns from parents and families struggling to navigate the digital space.
This move follows weeks of engagement with over a thousand parents who called for clear support on how much screen time is too much, and how to build healthy habits.
Currently, parents are left to navigate fast‑moving technology alone, with a quarter of parents of 3 to 5-year-olds finding it hard to control their child’s screen time, and 98% of two‑year‑olds watching screens every day.
UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer emphasized that the government will not leave parent the faces this battle alone, adding that, “parenting in a digital world can feel relentless.”
“Our new guidance cuts through the noise with clear, common-sense tips to keep children safe and make sure healthy habits are baked in from the start. There will be some who will oppose us doing this. But whether it’s navigating technology, tackling the cost of living or balancing the demands of family life, I will always stand on the side of parents doing their best for their children.”
Keir Starmer
According to the UK government, “if the choice is between standing back or supporting parents to keep children safe, this government will always act.”
At the heart of the new framework is a set of age-specific recommendations intended to promote healthier developmental outcomes.
For children under two, the guidance advises avoiding screen time altogether, except when it facilitates shared interaction, such as video calls with family members, which can encourage bonding and communication.
For children aged two to five, parents are encouraged to limit screen time to no more than 1 hour per day, and to avoid device use during mealtimes and in the hour leading up to bedtime.
Beyond time limits, the guidance also addresses the quality of content consumed. Parents are urged to prioritize slow-paced, age-appropriate programming and to avoid fast-paced, highly stimulating formats often associated with social media platforms.
Equally important is its focus on co-viewing, which encourages parents to actively connect with their children while they are using screens.
According to the government, this forms part of wider action to support all children’s well-being in the digital world, running alongside the government’s consultation on further measures to keep children safe online.
Balancing Digital Exposure and Early Childhood Development
A report by early years charity, Kindred Squared, found that 28% of UK children starting reception cannot use a book properly, with many attempting to “swipe” or tap physical pages like a tablet.
With 90% of children’s development happening before the age of five, parents are being supported to make safe screen swaps like reading bedtime stories together or playing simple games at mealtimes.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, indicated that the early years are a critical period for development. “That’s why we are acting now, to give parents the clear, practical tools they’ve been asking for backed by the best available evidence,” he added.
The guidance is underpinned by the findings of an expert panel report led by the Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and Professor Russell Viner, a paediatrician and expert in children’s health.
After assessing the latest scientific research on screen use among children under five, the panel concluded that extended periods of solo screen time can interfere with essential developmental activities such as sleep, physical exercise, imaginative play, and meaningful interaction with parents.
However, it emphasizes that screen time has varying consequences. Evidence suggests that when children watch information with an engaged adult who asks questions and discusses what is being shown, it is associated with greater cognitive development than when they use screens alone.
“Children are growing up in a world where screens are everywhere. Parents tell me they want clear, non-judgemental information about why limiting screen use is important, given in a way that reflects the realities of their daily lives. Young children need their parents to be confident in managing their screen use, but often this can be overwhelming for parents learning to navigate this. My hope is that this guidance helps to cut through the conflicting advice available and prioritise children’s development and wellbeing, as well as their safety.”
Dame Rachel de Souza
Professor Sam Wass, University of East London, Director of the Institute for the Science of Early Years, also explained that, “guidance like this helps families make informed choices about media use, supporting healthy development and stronger family connections.”
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