Screen Time Guidance

Screens are part of most children’s daily lives, with nearly 98% of two-year-olds watching television, videos or other digital content on a screen on a typical day. The early years are a critical period of rapid brain development and evidence shows that screens can have a big impact on a child’s health and cognitive and socio-emotional development.

Screen use should be avoided for under 2s and limited to up to an hour a day for children aged 2 to 5. You should take a precautionary approach to using screens in your setting by limiting screen use for children and only use it carefully and intentionally, for specific learning and development aims.

Restricting time children spend on screens at home and in early years settings supports healthy child development, which requires sufficient sleep, play, real-world interaction and responsive adult engagement

The links below offer guidance that covers managing screens, appropriate content for young children’s brains and advice for working collaboratively with parents and carers on this topic.