The government has issued new advice recommending that children under five should spend no more than one hour per day on screens, with screen time for children under two to be avoided entirely except for shared activities that encourage interaction.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the guidance, developed by a panel led by Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza and Professor Russell Viner, would help families build healthy screen habits. He stated: “Parenting in a digital world can feel relentless… My government will not leave parents to face this battle alone.”
The advice for two- to five-year-olds urges parents to keep screen time to one hour or less per day, avoid fast-paced social media-style videos and AI-based toys, and ensure bedtimes and mealtimes are screen-free. Shared viewing, such as video calls or looking at photos, is recommended over solo use.
Professor Viner warned that “too much solo screen time can crowd out sleep, play, physical activity and talking with parents.” The panel also advised parents to consider their own screen use in front of children and to introduce screen-free periods for the whole family.
Dr Mike McKean, vice-president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, welcomed the guidance, saying it helps parents protect “short, but developmentally crucial early years”. The government is also considering Australia-style measures to limit or ban social media for under-16s.
