UK government advises strict screen time limits for young children

The UK government has issued new guidance advising that children under five should spend no more than an hour a day on screens, while children under two should avoid screen time entirely except for shared activities that encourage interaction.

Families are also being warned to limit exposure to fast-paced social media-style videos and AI-based toys and tools for young children. Bedtimes and mealtimes should be screen-free, with parents encouraged to use background music, table games, bedtime stories, and colouring instead, according to the Guardian.

Shared screen activities could include video calling friends and family or looking through photos together. The guidance notes that watching screens with children and discussing content is better for cognitive development than allowing solo use.

About 98% of children are watching screens daily by the age of two, the government has previously said, and studies show that high screen use can negatively impact language development. Prolonged screen time can also affect sleep, physical activity, creative play, and parent-child interaction, all key to healthy development. However, limits may be adjusted for children with special educational needs who rely on screen-based assistive technologies.

The recommendations were developed by a panel led by the children’s commissioner, Rachel de Souza, and children’s health expert Prof Russell Viner, who is a professor in adolescent health at University College London.

"Too much solo screen time can crowd out the things that make the biggest difference – sleep, play, physical activity and talking with parents and carers," Viner said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the guidance, saying it would help families build healthy habits and keep children safe.

"Parenting in a digital world can feel relentless. Screens are everywhere, and the advice is often conflicting. My government will not leave parents to face this battle alone," Starmer said.

He added: "There will be some who will oppose us doing this. But whether it’s navigating technology, tackling the cost of living or balancing the demands of family life, I will always stand on the side of parents doing their best for their children."

Dr Mike McKean, vice-president for policy at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, also welcomed the guidance, noting that the early years of childhood are “short, but developmentally crucial.”

"The growing emphasis on online and digital spaces has made childhood an even more challenging period for parents to navigate," he said. "For many years now parents and professionals have been forced to play a dangerous game of catch-up, desperately trying to find the right balance for their children."

The government is also considering measures similar to Australia’s to limit or ban social media use for under-16s. Officials hope the guidance will help families develop healthier relationships with screens and ensure children are ready for school.

By Sabina Mammadli