The UK government has released new guidance on screen time for children under the age of five, recommending extremely limited use for those under two years old. The advice comes amid 'mounting evidence' of the harmful impact of screens on young children.
The guidance was developed by a panel led by the children's commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, and children's health expert Professor Russell Viner. It aims to address one of the key struggles of 21st-century parenting: managing children's relationships with screens and the content they access.
For children under two, experts advise avoiding screen time except for video calls with family. For those aged two to five, screen time should be limited to one hour per day, with a focus on high-quality educational content and active parental involvement.
The panel also emphasised the importance of balancing screen use with physical activity, sleep, and social interaction. The guidance is part of a broader effort to support healthy development in early childhood.
