In the UK, parents are increasingly concerned about the amount of time their children spend on screens, with recent studies revealing that children aged 5-16 spend an average of over six hours a day looking at screens. This includes time spent watching television, using the internet, playing video games, and on mobile phones. The rise in screen time has been linked to potential negative impacts on children's mental and physical health, including eye strain and behavioral issues.
The UK government is considering new regulations to limit children's time on social media, with proposals for a daily cap of two hours for minors and a curfew blocking access after 10:00 PM. These measures aim to combat screen addiction and its mental health impacts. Furthermore, the government is reviewing broader digital safety reforms, including parental control features and stricter age verification processes.
Experts recommend that parents establish media-free times and model healthy screen use by limiting their own device usage. The NHS advises no more than two hours of screen time a day for older children, while the World Health Organisation recommends no screen time for children under two years old. The discussion around screen time also includes the importance of content and context: what children watch, who they watch it with, and why they are watching matters as much as how long they are staring at a screen.
With the rise of digital devices, parents are seeking guidance on how to manage their children's screen time effectively. The government is consulting on additional measures regarding smartphones for children under 16, including the possibility of a total ban or default parental controls. With the help of these measures, parents can protect their children in the digital world.