Parents are set to receive updated guidance on managing screen time for children under five years old due to concerns about increased screen usage among young children. Bridget Phillipson is reportedly discussing this matter with England’s Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, focusing on children’s social media usage. The Education Secretary is reviewing the existing advice on screen time, last updated in 2019.
The current recommendations suggest that children should keep phones out of their bedrooms at bedtime, have screen-free meal times, and take breaks after screen use. An updated version of the guidelines is expected early next year, with a specific focus on parents of children aged five and under.
Acknowledging the challenges, government officials emphasize that they do not intend to interfere with parental choices but aim to ensure that parents are aware of available advice. A government source emphasized the importance of educating parents about the risks associated with excessive screen time for young children and ensuring that every child receives the most current information for a healthy start in life.
According to an Ofcom report in May, nearly one-fifth of three to five-year-olds have their own mobile phones, and 63% use tablets for online activities. The report also revealed that a significant percentage of children access social media, such as YouTube, and use apps unsupervised, raising concerns about their online safety.
Last year, the Commons’ Education Committee highlighted the need for clearer guidance on managing screen time, particularly for parents of infants and young children. The Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman, Munira Wilson, welcomed the updates but called for more action against tech companies, advocating for a public health approach to address the addictive nature of social media.
Bridget Phillipson has been collaborating with Technology Secretary Liz Kendall to explore additional measures to safeguard children online. Kendall proposed potential restrictions on app usage or social media bans during school hours to enhance online safety for children, expressing a commitment to take any necessary steps, including legislative actions, to protect children online.
In July, Ofcom’s children’s code came into effect, requiring social media platforms to address harmful content, toxic algorithms, and implement age verification measures to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act. The code aims to assist tech companies in understanding and meeting the new regulatory standards for online safety.