Government guidance on screen time for children under five is forthcoming, prompted by research linking excessive screen use to delayed speech development.
New Guidance Aims to Address Rising Screen Time
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is set to announce on Monday the development of new advice for parents. This guidance will be created with input from parents, children, and early years practitioners. According to Ms. Phillipson, writing in the Sunday Times, “Research shows that by age two, almost all children – around 98% – are watching screens such as mobiles, tablets, and TV every day, during a critical period for language development.”
Government research indicates that screen use – encompassing mobile devices and televisions – is associated with poorer language development in children under two years old. Ms. Phillipson also noted that educators are observing children arriving at nursery and school with increased difficulty in conversation, focus, and learning engagement.
What Form Will the Guidance Take?
The forthcoming guidance is expected to suggest integrating screens into activities like storytime or educational games. It will also be accompanied by resources for parents on early years development, specifically focusing on speech and language skills. The topic of screen time’s impact on children is described as “controversial.”
This announcement follows similar concerns raised by the Princess of Wales in October, who described smartphones and screens as creating “an epidemic of disconnection” within families. Previously, in July, then-Technology Secretary Peter Kyle considered a two-hour daily limit per social media platform for children, a policy that was ultimately not implemented. Australia has taken a more decisive step, banning under-16s from social media, though reports indicate some young people are circumventing these restrictions.
Data released in April by the children’s commissioner for England showed that 90% of secondary schools and 99.8% of primary schools already have policies restricting mobile phone use during the school day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the guidance be published?
The terms of reference for the national working group examining screen time guidance will be published on Monday. The group, led by children’s commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza and scientific adviser Professor Russell Viner, is expected to release the first guidance in April.
Who will be involved in shaping the guidance?
Ms. Phillipson stated that the guidance will be “shaped with parents, not dictated to them,” and will be informed by engagement sessions with parents, children, and early years practitioners over the coming weeks.
What is the overall aim of the guidance?
According to Ms. Phillipson, the guidance aims to offer “clear, practical advice on how screens fit alongside the everyday activities that matter most in the early years, including talking, playing and reading together.”
As the national conversation around children’s screen time continues, what role do you believe parents, educators, and technology companies should play in fostering healthy digital habits?
