A stark new study has revealed that two-year-old children in England are spending twice the amount of time on screens than health experts recommend. The research, focusing on children born in the 2020s, indicates an average of two hours of daily screen exposure for toddlers, significantly surpassing international health guidance.
Exceeding Health Guidelines
The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises that children aged between two and four should have no more than one hour of sedentary screen time each day. The study found the average English two-year-old is far exceeding this, clocking up a full two hours daily. This trend raises significant concerns among child development specialists about the long-term impact on the youngest generation.
Impact on Development and Behaviour
The research uncovered clear correlations between high screen use and developmental outcomes. Toddlers with the greatest exposure, averaging around five hours per day, demonstrated lower scores in vocabulary tests compared to peers with minimal screen time.
Furthermore, the data showed a troubling link to emotional and behavioural wellbeing. Two-year-olds with high screen time were found to be twice as likely to develop emotional and behavioural difficulties. This contrasts sharply with the positive effects on language skills observed from traditional activities like reading and playing with caregivers.
Underlying Social Factors
The study also highlighted that increased screen time is not evenly distributed across all families. It identified a stronger association with households facing economic disadvantages or where a parent is experiencing depression. This suggests screen use may sometimes function as a digital pacifier in challenging circumstances, albeit with potential developmental costs.
The findings, published on Tuesday 13 January 2026, serve as a crucial warning for parents, educators, and policymakers. They underscore the need for greater support and awareness to help families balance digital exposure with activities proven to nurture healthy childhood development in the UK's youngest citizens.
