London: Parents in the UK will be offered government guidance on screen time for children under five, after research linked prolonged use of mobile devices, tablets, and TVs to poorer speech and language development.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is expected to announce on January 12 that the advice will be developed in collaboration with parents, children, and early years practitioners, ensuring it reflects real-world experiences.
The guidance is likely to suggest using screens as part of structured activities, such as story time or educational games, rather than as passive entertainment. The Education Secretary noted that, “Research shows that by age two, almost all children, around 98 percent, watch screens every day during a critical period for language development.”
Government research, released alongside the announcement, found that screen use, including mobile devices and televisions, is linked to poorer language skills in children under two. A survey of 4,758 parents showed that children with the highest screen time, around five hours a day, could say significantly fewer words than those who watched only about 44 minutes daily.
Phillipson added that parents, teachers, and nursery staff report that children arriving at nursery or school often struggle to hold conversations, focus, or engage in learning, highlighting the need for practical guidance. Alongside screen-time advice, the government plans to offer lessons for parents on early speech and language development.
The discussion around whether screen time is harmful remains controversial. In October, the Princess of Wales warned that smartphones and computer screens were creating ‘an epidemic of disconnection’ within families.
Previously in the UK, Peter Kyle, then Technology Secretary, had proposed a two-hour daily limit per social media platform for children to tackle ‘compulsive’ use, though this policy was never implemented. Some MPs have suggested the UK should consider a similar approach.
The upcoming guidance seeks to provide parents with clear advice and practical steps for managing screen time, supporting healthy speech and language development, and promoting balanced digital use in early childhood.
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