UK to Issue Screen Time Guidance for Kids Under Five
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced that the recommendations will be released in April and emphasized they will be shaped “with parents, not dictated to them,” according to a news agency.
Phillipson highlighted that “by age two, almost all children – around 98% – are watching screens such as mobiles, tablets, and TV every day, during a critical period for language development.”
She noted that some children struggle with communication and focus when entering nursery or school.
Government findings revealed that toddlers exposed to around five hours of daily screen time learn “significantly” fewer words compared to peers with less exposure.
Acknowledging that screens are “not going anywhere,” Phillipson urged parents to adopt more mindful practices. “Let’s use them well,” she said, suggesting educational games or shared reading on tablets.
The forthcoming guidance will also encourage alternative activities such as conversation, play, and reading. Phillipson admitted that many parents, including herself, sometimes give in when children ask for “just one more” episode, but warned that repeated indulgence can accumulate risks.
Data further showed a gap in early literacy habits: 77% of children from high-income families are read to daily at age two, compared with only 32% in lower-income households.
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