Parents to get new recommendation on display time for younger children – as warning issued
Nearly a fifth (19%) of three to five-year-olds have their own mobile phone and 63% use a tablet to go online – with many parents letting youngsters use social media unsupervised
Parents are expected to get fresh guidance on screen-time for children aged five and under amid fears over spiralling use by youngsters.
Bridget Phillipson is understood to be talking to England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty about children and young people’s use of social media. The Education Secretary is looking at advice on screen time, which has not been updated since 2019.
Current guidance recommends children leave phones outside their rooms before bed, screen-free meal times and ensuring kids take a break after using a screen. Updated guidance is expected early next year, with an emphasis on advice for parents of kids under five years old.
Ministers admit there are challenges as the Government doesn’t want to interfere with parents’ choices for their kids. But there are fears parents don’t know there is advice available.
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A Government source told The Mirror: “It’s crucial that parents are aware of the risks associated with excessive screen time for the smallest children. This government will make sure parents have the most up to date information possible so every child has the best start in life.”
Nearly a fifth (19%) of three to five-year-olds have their own mobile phone and 63% use a tablet to go online, according to an Ofcom report in May. Almost four in ten (37%) use social media, such as YouTube, with around a fifth of parents (19%) letting their children use these apps unsupervised.
Last year, the Commons’ Education Committee warned parents needed clear guidance on managing screen time. MPs said advice to parents of babies and young children must be revised “to ensure it gives sufficient attention to face-to-face interaction and warns of the risks of screen time in reducing opportunities for this”.
Lib Dem education spokeswoman Munira Wilson welcomed the move but urged more action against tech firms. She said: “Updated guidance is all well and good, but the Government is still expecting parents to fight a lonely battle against the addictive nature of social media.
“It is ludicrous to suggest busy parents have time to battle billion-dollar algorithms designed to hook children for profit. We need a genuine public health approach to this crisis which empowers parents by defanging the Big Tech giants’ addictive business models.”
Ms Phillipson has been in talks with Technology Secretary Liz Kendall about what more can be done to protect kids online. Last month, Ms Kendall suggested she could consider two-hour app restrictions for kids or a social media ban during school hours.
She said she will look at “anything” and do “whatever it takes to keep kids safe online”, including further legislation.
In July, Ofcom’s new children’s code finally came into force, ordering social media firms to tame toxic algorithms, take faster action on removing harmful content and introduce robust age verification measures. The guidance helps tech firms understand new requirements under the UK’s Online Safety Act.
