Screen Time Scourge

Children under the age of five should be limited to one hour of screen time a day, while under-twos should not be watching screens alone, new government guidance says.

It advises parents to steer clear of fast-paced videos and use screens together where possible. The guidance also suggests "screen swaps" - taking screens away to read stories together or playing simple games at mealtimes.

The guidance is the first evidence-backed, practical advice issued by the government, but ministers say it will be kept under review as more evidence emerges.

"This is still quite an unknown area in lots of respects and we've taken a precautionary approach," Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said.

Children's commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza and Russell Viner, professor of paediatrics and adolescent health at University College London, have reviewed the latest evidence, finding that long periods of time spent on screens alone can affect children's sleep and physical activity, which are key to their development.

It covers all types of screen use, including computers, tablets, mobile phones, and televisions.

The government has previously said about 98% of children are watching screens on a daily basis by the age of two.

- Author: Vanessa Clarke, BBC

Read more...