The United Kingdom has issued new guidance urging parents to restrict screen time for young children, recommending no screen exposure for those under two years old and limiting usage to one hour daily for children aged two to five. This advice highlights concerns that extended solo screen use can interfere with sleep patterns and reduce time spent on play and physical activity.
Governments around the world are increasingly tightening regulations on children’s online activities. Countries such as France, Denmark, and the Netherlands are introducing stricter age-verification systems and safety protocols, driven by worries over mental health issues, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content. Indonesia has also implemented tougher rules, banning children under 16 from accessing the popular platform Roblox starting Saturday, after classifying it as high-risk.
The UK’s updated recommendations, published on Thursday, represent the government’s most direct intervention to date regarding digital habits in early childhood. Officials acknowledged that parents have often been left to manage device use without sufficient support.
Statistics reveal that a quarter of British parents with children aged three to five have struggled to control screen time, while 98% of two-year-olds engage with screens daily. The guidance advises keeping screens away during mealtimes and the hour before bedtime, selecting slow-paced and age-appropriate content, and encouraging parents to co-view with their children to foster language and social skills.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting families, stating, “My government will not leave parents to face this battle alone.” He stressed the need for clear and practical advice amid rapidly evolving technology and conflicting online information.
An expert panel behind the guidance recommended avoiding fast-paced, social-media-style videos and certain AI-powered toys for young children. However, screen-based assistive technologies designed for children with special educational needs should not be broadly restricted.
In a broader context, the UK and other European nations are considering additional online safety measures for older children, including setting minimum ages for social media use, implementing overnight curfews, and regulating AI chatbots.
Meanwhile, a Los Angeles jury recently found Meta and Google negligent in a landmark case involving features that allegedly harmed a young user. This verdict could have significant implications for thousands of similar lawsuits worldwide.
