Government issues first screen time guidance for under-fives, including one-hour limit
New advice urges screen-free mealtimes and bedtimes, and no more than an hour a day for 2–5s.
Parenting in 2026 often feels like negotiating with a tiny tech expert. From CBeebies on demand to grandparents on FaceTime, screens are woven into daily life from babyhood.
Now, the government has issued its first ever national guidance on screen time for children under five, including advice to limit 2 to 5 year olds to no more than one hour a day and to keep mealtimes and the hour before bed screen-free.
The evidence-backed guidance, developed with Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and leading health and early years experts, is available free online and through Best Start Family Hubs across England.
What does the new screen time guidance say?
The advice is split by age and focuses on building healthy habits early, without judgement.
Key recommendations include:
For under-2s
- Avoid screen time other than for shared activities that encourage bonding, interaction and conversation.
For 2 to 5 year olds
- Try to keep screen time to no more than one hour a day.
- Avoid screens at mealtimes.
- Avoid screens in the hour before bedtime.
Content matters
- Choose slow-paced, age-appropriate programmes or apps.
- Avoid fast-paced, social media-style videos.
- Avoid AI toys or tools aimed at young children.
Watch together where possible
- Co-viewing, where you watch and talk about content together, is better for children’s development than solo screen use.
The guidance also makes clear that time limits may not apply in the same way for screen-based assistive technology used by children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Why now?
According to the Department for Education, 24% of parents of 3 to 5 year olds say they find it hard to control their child’s screen time. Meanwhile, 98% of two year olds watch screens every day.
A recent report by early years charity Kindred Squared also found that 28% of UK children starting reception cannot use a book properly, with many attempting to “swipe” or tap physical pages like a tablet.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move is about supporting, not blaming, families.
“Parenting in a digital world can feel relentless. Screens are everywhere, and the advice is often conflicting.
My government will not leave parents to face this battle alone. Our new guidance cuts through the noise with clear, common-sense tips to keep children safe and make sure healthy habits are baked in from the start.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson added:
"I know how hard it is to navigate parenting in a world full of screens. They're unavoidable, but it often feels impossible to tell whether you're getting the balance right.
"That's why we're giving parents the clear, trusted support they've asked for – so families can make informed choices, and children can have the childhood they deserve."
What the experts say about screen time and development
The guidance is underpinned by an independent report from the Early Years Screen Time Advisory Group, co-chaired by Dame Rachel de Souza and Professor Russell Viner, a paediatrician and expert in children’s health.
The panel reviewed the latest scientific evidence and found that long periods of solo screen time can displace activities that are critical for development, including sleep, physical activity, creative play and interaction with parents and carers.
Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza said:
"Children are growing up in a world where screens are everywhere. Parents tell me they want clear, non-judgemental information about why limiting screen use is important, given in a way that reflects the realities of their daily lives.
“That’s why I was pleased to co-chair the group advising the government for this first piece of guidance on screen time for children under five, setting out why it's so important to avoid particular kinds of screen time, and how."
Professor Russell Viner, Professor in Adolescent Health at University College London, said:
"The evidence tells us that how young children spend their time really matters for their development.
Too much solo screen time can crowd out the things that make the biggest difference - sleep, play, physical activity and talking with parents and carers
"This guidance gives parents straightforward, evidence-based advice. The panel know that screens are part of modern life. We want to help parents feel confident about getting the balance right for their young children."
Professor Sam Wass, Director of the Institute for the Science of Early Years at the University of East London, also highlighted how rapidly children’s media use is evolving:
“Young brains process sights and sounds very differently from adults, and early experiences can have lasting effects on attention, learning and emotional wellbeing.
“Guidance like this helps families make informed choices about media use, supporting healthy development and stronger family connections. This is an area where our understanding is changing fast, and where small changes can make a big difference.”
Screen-free swaps families can try
Alongside time limits, the guidance encourages simple swaps that support children’s social, emotional and language development, especially given that 90% of brain development happens before age five.
Suggestions include:
- Reading bedtime stories together instead of watching a show.
- Playing simple word or counting games at the table.
- Encouraging imaginative or physical play after nursery.
The advice will be shared through hundreds of Best Start Family Hubs opening across the country, offering face-to-face support as well as online resources. It is also backed by The Dollywood Foundation UK, which runs Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, providing free books to children aged 0 to 5 in participating areas.
For parents feeling the daily tug of “just one more episode”, the message is not to eliminate screens entirely, but to focus on balance, boundaries and being present.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.