UK issues new screen-time guidance for parents of under-fives
The Facts
- The UK government has issued new guidance for parents of under-fives on screen use.
- The guidance says children under five should have no more than one hour of screen time a day.
- The guidance says children under two should avoid screens except for shared interactive activities.
- The advice recommends that screens be avoided at mealtimes and before bed.
- Parents are advised to use screens together with young children rather than leaving them to watch alone.
- The guidance advises parents to steer clear of fast-paced videos or similar content for young children.
- The government says the guidance is intended as practical support for families and will be kept under review as more evidence becomes available.
Context
Who developed the guidance?
Several reports say it was developed with input from a panel led by the children’s commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, and children’s health expert Prof Russell Viner Guardian,Irish Times.
What kinds of screen use are still allowed for children under two?
The guidance says under-twos should avoid screens except for shared activities that encourage interaction, such as video calls or looking at digital photo albums together Irish Times,Financial Times News.
Why is the government issuing this advice now?
Officials say parents have been asking for clearer, practical support on how much screen time is too much and how to build healthier habits, and the government says it is responding to that call gov.uk,HuffPost UK.
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