New guidance on screen times

[ProudAmberTurtle]

The government has issued its first screen time advice for parents - limit screen time for children under five to one hour per day. Under-twos should not use screens alone.

Key recommendations include avoiding fast-paced videos, using screens together with an engaged adult (linked to better cognitive outcomes), and "screen swaps" — replacing devices with shared reading, simple games or play, especially at mealtimes. AI tools should be avoided.

They say solo screen use can harm sleep, physical activity and development.

Thoughts?

Thoughts?

What are your thoughts?

I support the guidance - in fact I'd have liked it to go a little further.

It's really sad when I see a very young child staring at a screen and ignoring the world around them.

Crikey very watered down, I thought no screen at all for under twos? And no pre schooler needs an hour a day. Mine are older and use screens more than I’d like so I’m not one to comment really!

Sad that we're at a place where guidance is needed on this in the first time.

I agree re iPads. I think they are including TV though, if I remember rightly. But under twos don’t need an hour of TV either. I hope they publicise this guidance at all baby groups and NCT groups, through health visitors etc

The effect we are seeing in schools from excessive screen use has sadly made this necessary. TV in the background is not so much of a problem it's when children are sort of at one with the screen, meaning their speech and language doesn’t develop and they aren't looking around gaining an understanding of the world. I support this, but see no reason, other than a bit of tv now and again, why any screens would be needed for those under 5.
I especially think those who use it to manage behaviour are misguided, for example in restaurants. I think there is a big misconception that it regulates those with SEN sometimes, but the reality is the opposite, even if it looks like it is working in the moment.

The guidance links back to an academic paper where there are several key points - slow paced content that is repetitive is best for young kids (Bluey, In the Night Garden etc - Copilot can actually throw out some suggestions if you feed in all the features of slow-paced content into it!) and it is much better to watch content with our kids when we can and talk to them about it as that improves language skills.

Fast paced content such as TikTok and YouTube affects kids' behaviour and ability to concentrate.

Kids under 2 are more greatly influenced by what they watch than any others because that is the period when their brains develop fastest, and so should only use mobiles and laptops etc with their parents.

The guidance also issues a warning in terms of AI toys and apps but only because no-one yet knows much about them.

I think the key message that comes across is that any screen activity needs to make room for sleep, exercise, play and chatting with parents - and meals and bedtime should be screen free for developmental reasons. I read into the report that backs up the website and some research connects poor language skills with young kids using screens for hours on end - and then there is the risk of what they are watching if you can't keep an eye on them.

I was glad to see that it didn't say kids must never use screens because it is just not realistic to never sit them in front of the TV in order to get things done.

As someone who works in a primary school, I find it utterly depressing when I hear my pupils talk about how much time they spend on screens and what they watch. My pet hate is people in cafes who stick their toddler on a tablet while sit on their phones. They are missing a golden opportunity to bond with their child.