Screen time and young children may not always be harmful

A Department for Education report recommends limiting screen time to one hour per day for children under five and advises avoiding screens for under-twos except for shared, interactive use.

A government report from the Department for Education sets new guidance on young children's screen use. It recommends no more than one hour of screen time per day for children under five. For children under two, the advice is to avoid screens except for shared, interactive viewing. Ministers said the guidance is precautionary and will be kept under review. Key facts: - The report recommends a maximum of one hour of screen time per day for children under five. - For children under two, screens are advised to be avoided except when used together with a caregiver in an interactive way. - The report cites evidence linking very high daily screen use with reduced early language, while noting some educational programmes can have positive effects. - The guidance notes different considerations for children with special educational needs and disabilities and will be reviewed as more evidence emerges. Summary: The guidance frames screen use as a factor to balance with human interaction because early childhood is a sensitive period for language and social development. Officials describe the approach as precautionary and say the recommendations will be kept under review as further evidence becomes available.