The Government has issued screen time guidance for parents of under-5s to limit the time spent gonna devices to one hour
Parents of young children are facing a constant battle with screens. Now, for the first time, the government is stepping in with clear, trusted guidance to help families navigate it.
The advice follows weeks of engagement with over a thousand parents who called for clear support on how much screen time is too much, and how to build healthy habits, the government is delivering on its promise to provide judgement-free, practical support if they need it.
Currently, parents are left to navigate fast‑moving technology alone – with a quarter (24%) of parents of 3‑ to 5‑year‑olds finding it hard to control their child’s screen time, and 98% of two‑year‑olds watching screens every day.
The new guidance is available for free on the Best Start in Life website, with key tips including:
Under 2s: Avoiding screen time other than for shared activities that encourage bonding, interaction and conversation.
2 to 5-year-olds: Trying to keep it to no more than one hour a day. Avoid at mealtimes and in the hour before bed.
Content: Choosing slow-paced, age-appropriate content. Fast-paced, social media-style videos and AI toys or tools should be avoided for young children.
Co-viewing: Watching or using screens together – talking, asking questions and engaging with the content – is better for children’s development than solo screen use.
This also forms part of wider action to support all children’s wellbeing in the digital world – running alongside the government’s consultation on further measures to keep children safe online.
