Screen time can damage under-twos' development, landmark study suggests

4 hours ago

Screen time for under-twos is linked to long-term negative health and quality-of-life effects, with potential harms including reduced bonding, limited language development, overstimulation, sleep issues, and childhood obesity.
The study calls for urgent investigation into screen risks for infants and a reconsideration of government guidance, highlighting a 'baby blind spot' in policies focused on older children.
Researchers recommend avoiding regular intentional screen time for under-twos, cautioning that shared or educational screen time may be misinterpreted as safe, potentially worsening developmental delays.
Proposals include a 'baby screen-time risk assessment' for targeted family support, better government engagement with parents, and responsibility from tech companies to avoid labeling content as suitable for babies.
Current UK guidance advises against screen time for under-twos but allows exceptions for shared activities like video calls, aiming to support rather than replace parental judgment.

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