SpongeBob and Bluey named UK parents’ top ‘digital babysitters’ in new screen time study

SpongeBob SquarePants has been crowned the UK’s favourite children’s show parents turn to when they need five minutes of peace, according to new research.

A screen time study by early years training provider Eden Training Solutions analysed Google search data to uncover the children’s programmes mums and dads are most frequently looking up, alongside the UK cities most reliant on screens to occupy little ones.

And while many of the usual favourites feature, the findings also highlight big regional differences in how often parents search for digital content.

The UK’s top ‘digital babysitters’

The study found SpongeBob SquarePants tops the list with a total Google search volume of 816,950.

Close behind are other family favourites, with all of the top five shows exceeding half a million searches. These are:

• Bluey – 618,200 searches
• PAW Patrol – 576,850 searches
• CoComelon – 536,400 searches
• KPop Demon Hunters – 506,000 searches

Rounding out the top 10 are Gabby’s Dollhouse, Hey Duggee, Ms. Rachel, Shaun the Sheep and Sarah & Duck.

The data was gathered using Keyword Planner, analysing average monthly search volumes between January 2025 and December 2025. Researchers then compared results across the UK’s 50 most populous cities.

Which UK cities rely on screens the most?

Beyond national favourites, the study also identified so-called “Screen-Sitter Capitals”, ranking cities by the number of searches for children’s digital content per 10,000 residents.

Londonderry in Northern Ireland came out top, with 4,292 searches per 10,000 residents, making parents there statistically the most likely to turn to screens.

The rest of the top 10 most screen-reliant cities are:

• Chester
• St Albans
• Bath
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne
• Wakefield
• Worcester
• Brighton & Hove
• Dundee
• Peterborough

At the other end of the scale, Nottingham recorded just 311 searches per 10,000 residents, making it the least screen-reliant city in the study.

Why balance still matters

Kathy Leatherbarrow, former Ofsted inspector and early years specialist at Eden Training Solutions, says it is no surprise that bright, fast-paced cartoons dominate.

"It’s completely understandable why a show like SpongeBob SquarePants tops the search charts. It’s highly engaging to children, being bright, funny, and highly entertaining. And while all the shows in the list are great ways to occupy children, we still have to find a healthy balance with the media they consume. The government has raised valid concerns about children missing out on high-quality, enriching content. They need more exposure to programmes that are educational and promote emotional and mental well-being."

While many parents will recognise the reality of putting on Bluey while making dinner or answering emails, Kathy stresses the importance of protecting time for offline play.

"While screen time is an inevitable part of modern life, we have to ensure we are also giving children the space to use their imaginations. Those early years are when little minds grow the fastest, and nurturing offline creativity builds crucial life skills."

While screen time is an inevitable part of modern life, we have to ensure we are also giving children the space to use their imaginations. Those early years are when little minds grow the fastest, and nurturing offline creativity builds crucial life skills.

Three simple ways to encourage offline creativity

For parents keen to strike a healthier balance, Kathy recommends three practical, low-pressure approaches:

1. Provide open-ended resources

Swap the tablet for items with no fixed purpose. Simple things like cardboard boxes, building blocks, or safe household items can spark far more imagination than a screen.

2. Let them take the lead

Parents do not always need to plan an elaborate activity. Stepping back, listening, and letting your child dictate the rules of their playtime can help build independence and confidence.

3. Allow space for boredom

"Finding that balance doesn't have to be a battle. We often feel the need to constantly entertain our children, but giving them the freedom to be bored is usually the exact push they need to start inventing their own games. By mixing their favourite entertainment with plenty of freedom to explore, we help them grow into confident, adaptable learners."

For busy mums, the message is not to ditch screens altogether. Instead, it is about mixing much-loved shows with everyday opportunities for creativity, whether that is a cardboard box rocket ship in the living room or an impromptu garden treasure hunt.

Because while SpongeBob might buy you 20 minutes to drink a hot cup of tea, it is what happens beyond the screen that helps little imaginations truly thrive.