Screen time for babies and toddlers under the age of two has been linked with long-term negative effects on health and quality of life, according to a landmark study. Researchers from four UK universities are calling for urgent investigation of the risks posed by smartphones, tablets and other digital devices to infants.
The review, described as the most comprehensive yet of global research on the subject, warns that screen use during this period may lead to wide-ranging developmental concerns. These include reduced opportunities to bond with parents, less time for physical play, limited language development, increased overstimulation, difficulty sleeping, and implications for eye health and childhood obesity.
Rafe Clayton, senior lecturer at the University of Leeds and co-lead of the research, said parents were 'inadvertently teaching children and babies to develop unhealthy habits and relationships with screen devices'. The team is concerned about a 'baby blind spot' in policy, as government plans focus on teenagers' digital habits.
The study recommends that no under-twos should receive regular intentional screen time, and urges the government to reconsider its recently published guidance, which advises avoiding screen time but caveats this with exceptions for shared activities. The researchers warn that such caveats may be misinterpreted as indicating safety or encouragement.
The team, known as the Action on Digital Device Immersive Conditions Team, is calling for a 'baby screen-time risk assessment' to help services support families where developmental vulnerabilities may be emerging. Former minister Andrea Leadsom described the review as a 'wake-up call', adding that technology companies should not label content as suitable for babies when evidence points to the contrary.
