Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised a 'fight' with social media companies as the government introduces new guidance on screen time for children. Speaking at a school in south London, he said ministers must show they are on the side of families and will not shy away from confronting platforms that serve addictive content to young people.
The guidance, developed by a panel led by Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza and child health expert Professor Russell Viner, advises that children under two should avoid screen time except for shared activities, while those aged two to five should have no more than one hour per day. It also recommends avoiding fast-paced videos and AI-driven toys for younger children, and keeping mealtimes and bedtimes screen-free.
Starmer said some measures 'will require a fight' because platforms deliberately design addictive features to keep children online longer. The government is consulting on potential age restrictions for social media, gaming sites, and AI chatbots, as well as curbs on addictive design and better support for parents. Australia-style bans for under-16s are also under consideration.
Professor Viner warned that too much solo screen time can displace sleep, play, physical activity, and conversation with parents. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health welcomed the guidance, saying parents have been forced to 'play a dangerous game of catch-up' in the digital era. However, the panel noted that limits should not apply to children with special educational needs who use screen-based assistive technologies.
