UK Launches 3-Week Review on Screen Guidance for Children Aged 5-16

2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8

A three-week call for evidence will shape the UK’s first screen-use guidance for children aged 5 to 16, with ministers planning to publish advice for parents in the autumn.
The guidance is expected to cover how much screen time children should have, when they should get a first smartphone, and how technology is used in schools.
Bridget Phillipson said parents need clear, practical advice, while Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza said families and teenagers alike struggle to find the right balance and often want adults to step in.
The review will also examine broader under-16 screen use, including gaming, and comes separately from a consultation that closed last month on possible social-media bans and curbs on addictive platform design.
The move builds on March guidance that capped screen time for under-fives at 1 hour a day, after ministers warned long solo screen use can harm sleep and physical activity.

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BBC.com3h ago

Government Launches Call for Evidence on Children's Screen Use Guidance for Ages 5-16

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Protecting Children Online: UK’s 2026 Social Media Age Restrictions, Screen Time Guidance, and Global Policy Responses

Overview

Following the closure of the UK's national consultation on children's online experiences, the government is preparing new regulations to improve online safety. Service providers are urged to review their age assurance and data practices ahead of these changes. Notably, the government clarified that parents and children will not be penalized for bypassing age restrictions, raising questions about enforcement and the real impact of potential social media bans. Alongside these regulatory steps, new guidance on children's screen time has been introduced, recommending limited or shared screen use for young children. These actions reflect a comprehensive approach to safeguarding children's wellbeing in the digital world.

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