New Screen Time Guidance for Under-5s: What Parents and Carers Need to Know​

Parents and carers are increasingly navigating a world where screens are everywhere - from TVs and tablets to smartphones and apps. Recognising how challenging this can be, the UK government has released new, evidence-based guidance (March 2026) to help families build healthy screen habits for young children.

This guidance, developed with experts in child development and shaped by feedback from over 1,000 parents, aims to provide clear, practical and judgement-free advice.

Why this guidance matters
For many families, managing screen time has become a daily challenge. Research highlighted in the guidance shows that:

• 24% of parents of 3–5-year-olds find it difficult to manage screen time
• 98% of two-year-olds use screens every day

At the same time, early childhood is a critical period - around 90% of brain development happens before age five. How children spend their time during these years has a lasting impact on their learning, behaviour, and wellbeing.

Key screen time recommendations
The new guidance offers simple, age-based advice to help parents feel more confident:
Under 2 years

• Avoid screen time where possible
• If used, focus only on shared activities that involve interaction, such as video calls or watching together

Ages 2 to 5

• Aim for no more than one hour of screen time per day
• Avoid screens:
  • During mealtimes
  • In the hour before bedtime, to support better sleep

Quality matters as much as quantity
Not all screen time is the same. The guidance highlights that what children watch - and how they watch it - matters greatly.
Parents are encouraged to:

• Choose slow-paced, age-appropriate content
• Avoid fast-paced, social media-style videos
• Be cautious with AI-driven toys and tools for young children

Watch together, learn together
One of the most important messages is the value of co-viewing.

Watching or using screens together—talking, asking questions, and engaging with the content - can:

• Support language development
• Improve understanding
• Strengthen parent-child relationships

In contrast, long periods of solo screen use can take time away from activities that are vital for development.

What screens can replace - and why that matters
Too much screen time can crowd out the things young children need most, including:

• Sleep
• Physical activity
• Creative play
• Face-to-face interaction

Experts stress that these everyday experiences are essential for building communication skills, emotional understanding, and overall health.

Simple “screen swaps” to try at home
The guidance encourages families to make small, realistic changes. For example:

• Reading a bedtime story instead of watching videos
• Talking together during meals instead of using devices
• Playing simple games or enjoying outdoor time

These moments don’t need to be complicated - they just need to be interactive and consistent.

Supporting parents without judgement
A key theme of the guidance is support - not blame. Parenting in a digital world can feel overwhelming, and there is often conflicting advice online.
This new approach aims to:

• Provide clear, trusted information
• Reflect real family life
• Help parents make informed choices that work for them

A balanced approach to modern life
The guidance recognises that screens are part of everyday life. The goal is not to remove them entirely, but to help families find a healthy balance.
It also acknowledges that some screen use—such as assistive technology for children with additional needs - may be beneficial and should be considered differently.

Helping children get the best start
Ultimately, this guidance is about giving children the strongest possible foundation for life.
By focusing on:

• Connection
• Conversation
• Play
• Healthy routines

parents and carers can support their child’s development, wellbeing, and readiness for school - while still navigating the realities of modern technology.

Read the full guidance here.