Summary
New government guidelines in England suggest children under five should have no more than one hour of screen time each day. The advice encourages parents to engage with children during screen time and consider alternative activities like reading or playing games. These guidelines aim to improve children's sleep and physical activity, supporting their development.
Key Facts
- Children under five should have no more than one hour of screen time per day.
- Under-twos should not watch screens alone.
- The guidance suggests "screen swaps", like reading or playing, instead of screen time.
- Screen time with an adult is more beneficial than solo viewing for cognitive development.
- Screen use studies show prolonged solo screen time can affect sleep and activity levels.
- The guidelines are the first of their kind and are evidence-based.
- A family in Manchester tested the guidelines, finding it challenging but beneficial.
- Parents are advised to avoid fast-paced videos and use screens together with children.
