The government has published new, evidence‑informed guidance to help parents of under 5s navigate screen time, offering practical advice to support informed choices to help little brains develop healthy screen habits.
How does screen time affect my child’s development?
- 90% of brain growth happens before age 5. Young children learn best through warm, responsive interactions with parents and carers.
- A large amount of screen time is linked with negative effects on children’s health and development. It can affect social, emotional, language and brain development, sleep, eyesight and healthy weight.
- For babies and toddlers under 2, avoid screens, except for shared family activities that
encourage bonding and interaction. - For 2–5s, try to keep it to no more than an hour a day less where possible.
- Choose slow-paced content with simple stories and clear speech, as fast-paced, over-stimulating social media-style videos may affect how young children learn to concentrate, so it’s best to avoid them.
- Keep mealtimes and bedrooms screen-free, and try swapping screens for reading, play,
and conversations.
Young children copy your habits, so try to limit your own screen use around them. An important point to remember is that screens shouldn’t replace a young children’s sleep, physical activity, play or quality time.
For more advice on how to help little brains to develop healthy screen habits visit the Best Start in Life website.