Is screen time safe for children?
Chief medical officers issue eight-point guide for parents
The time children spend staring at screens is a constant source of worry for parents, amid fears that smartphones and computers can damage mental and physical health.
The UK’s chief medical officers, who advise the government on health, have looked at the existing scientific evidence and published their conclusions.
Here’s what they found.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Some studies found associations between screen-based activities and increased risk of anxiety or depression. However, there is no clear evidence of a causal link, say the medical officers. For example, a young person who already has mental health problems might be more likely to spend more time on social media.
This “does not mean that there is no effect”, they add, so “it is still wise to take a precautionary approach”.
They point to a “large volume of international research” showing that activities such as good-quality sleep and family time should supersede screen time “in their importance for ensuring the best start in life”.
However, they say there is insufficient scientific evidence to conclude exactly how long young people should spend on online activities.
Instead, they offer eight basic tips for balancing screen use with healthy living:
- Leave phones outside the bedroom to get better quality sleep
- Abide by school policies on screen time
- Talk to children before sharing their images online
- Take a break to move around after a couple of hours of sitting or lying down using a screen
- Talk to children about what they are looking at
- Use phone features to track screen time
- Keep family mealtimes screen-free
- Ensure screens are put away when crossing the road
A report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) published last month came to a similar conclusion that screens were not a definite cause for poor health. Dr Max Davie, the college’s lead for health promotion, said at the time: “We’ve got decades of data showing real-life social contact, exercise, healthy eating and sleep are of benefit. So where screen time can interfere with those activities, that seems to be a good place to start intervening.”
The NSPCC agreed that screens are not intrinsically harmful, but warned that children’s screen time should supervised in order to ensure they aren’t exposed to dodgy online content.
“Whether a child is online for five minutes or five hours, they should be protected from harmful or inappropriate content and behaviour,” said a spokesperson for the charity.
“Parents can help their children by remembering TEAM: talk to your child about online safety, explore their online world together, agree what’s OK and what’s not, manage privacy settings and controls.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published