Technology
The UK has joined an international effort to curb children's screen time by introducing nationwide guidelines.
Britain has urged parents to limit screen exposure for young children, recommending no screen time for those under two and a maximum of one hour daily for ages two to five. The guidance warns that extended solo use can interfere with sleep and reduce time for play and physical activity. Around the world, governments are tightening controls on children’s digital use. Countries such as France, Denmark, and the Netherlands are pushing for stricter age checks and safety rules due to concerns over mental health, cyberbullying, and harmful content.
Indonesia has also introduced tougher measures, planning to ban children under 16 from using Roblox after labeling it a high-risk platform. The UK’s new advice, covering devices like tablets, TVs, laptops, and smartphones, represents its strongest move yet on early childhood screen habits. Officials said many parents had been left to manage the issue on their own.
Government data shows that a quarter of parents with children aged three to five struggle to control screen time, while nearly all two-year-olds use screens daily. Parents are advised to avoid screens during meals and before bedtime, choose slower-paced, age-appropriate content, and watch alongside children to support language and social development.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said families need clear and practical guidance as technology evolves and online information can be confusing. An expert panel behind the recommendations cautioned against fast-paced, social-media-style content and some AI-powered toys for young children, while noting that assistive technologies for those with special educational needs should not be broadly restricted.
The UK and other European nations are also considering broader online safety rules for older children, including minimum age limits for social media, nighttime restrictions, and controls on AI chatbots. The United States, a Los Angeles jury ruled that Meta and Google were negligent over features that allegedly harmed a young user, a decision that could impact many similar cases.
