Published Article

HeadlineGovernment advise family screen crackdown

Short HeadlineFamilies advised to limit screen time

StandfirstGovernment recommends phone ban during children's bedtimes.

Children should be banned from using mobile phones at bedtime and during meals, health officials have urged.

The UK’s chief medical officers have urged children to take a break from screen-based activities every two hours.

Meanwhile, technology firms are under pressure to provide more protection to children online.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock will later meet Instagram chiefs to discuss self-harm content.

A team at University College London carried out part of the research. They claim to have found a link between frequent screen-users and mental health problems.

England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said companies have a duty of care to help keep children safe.

However, she noted the evidence has not proven a clear link between screen-based activities and mental health problems.

What does the guidance recommend parents do?

The report lists several involving children and screen-use, including:

• Not using phones and mobile devices at the dinner table
• Keeping screens out of the bedroom at bedtime
• Talking as a family about keeping safe online and about cyber-bulling
• Not using phones during activities that requires a person’s full attention
• Making sure children take a break from screens every two hours
• Parents should give their children proper attention and quality family time and never assume they are happy for pictures to be shared

What has the reaction been like?

Facebook welcomed the guidance and said it wanted young people to be safe online.

It said it’s introduced a new tool to help people see how much time they are spending on Facebook and Instagram.

It’s also created a tool that limits notifications.

Twitter says it has introduced 70 changes in 2018 “to make the service healthier and safer”.