13/04/2026
The government has published new, evidence‑informed guidance to help parents of
under 5s navigate screen time, offering practical advice to support informed choices to
help little brains develop healthy screen habits.
For babies and toddlers under 2, avoid screens, except for shared family activities that
encourage bonding and interaction. For 2–5s, try to keep it to no more than an hour a day - less where possible. Choose slow-paced content with simple stories and clear speech,
as fast-paced, over-stimulating social media-style videos may affect how young children
learn to concentrate, so it’s best to avoid them.
Keep mealtimes and bedrooms screen-free, and try swapping screens for reading, play,
and conversation. Young children copy your habits, so try to limit your own screen use
around them. An important point to remember is that screens shouldn’t replace a young
children’s sleep, physical activity, play or quality time.
For more advice on how to help little brains to develop healthy screen habits visit the Best
Start in Life website.
