New government-commissioned research has issued a stark warning that excessive screen time is harming the language development of very young children in the UK.
The Impact on Early Vocabulary
The study, which surveyed the main caregivers of 4,758 children, found a clear and concerning link. Two-year-olds with the highest screen use – around five hours daily – could say significantly fewer words than their peers who averaged about 44 minutes of screen time a day.
Specifically, children with the most screen exposure could say an average of 53% of a set of 34 test words. Those with the least screen time could speak 65% of the words.
Near-Universal Screen Use in Early Childhood
The research highlights how embedded screens are in modern family life. It found that 98% of all two-year-olds now watch TV, videos, or other digital content on a screen every day, for an average of 127 minutes.
This marks a sharp increase from infancy; at nine months old, the average was just 29 minutes daily. The study also noted that 19% of two-year-olds play video games, bringing the total average daily screen and gaming time to 140 minutes.
This far exceeds the World Health Organization's recommendation of a maximum of one hour per day for children aged two to four.
Government Response and Forthcoming Guidance
In response to these findings, the UK government will issue its first-ever official guidance on screen use for children under five in April 2024. The advice will focus on how to incorporate screens positively into activities like talking, playing, and reading.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated, "Screens are part of family life now. The question parents are asking isn’t whether to use them, but how to use them well." She acknowledged concerns from parents and teachers that passive screen time can crowd out vital interaction for development.
A panel led by Children's Commissioner for England Rachel de Souza and former Department for Education chief scientific adviser Professor Russell Viner will review the latest evidence and parent input to shape the guidance.
Broader Concerns and Expert Commentary
The research also flagged wider issues, finding that a quarter of the children surveyed scored above a threshold indicating possible behavioural or emotional problems.
Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, welcomed the planned guidance but stressed it must be part of a wider framework. "Recognising that digital media is more than just ‘screens’ is vital not only for supporting children’s early learning and development, but also ensuring that they have the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world," he said, calling for elements like online safety to be included.
This development coincides with calls from the NASUWT teaching union for a social media ban for under-16s over mental health concerns, a measure the Education Secretary has said she is considering.
