Excessive screen time is limiting the vocabulary of toddlers, according to a recent warning from the UK government. As it prepares to release its first guidance on managing screen use for children under five, research indicates that two-year-olds who engage with screens for around five hours a day exhibit significantly lower language skills compared to their peers who average just 44 minutes of screen time.
The alarming findings reveal that **98%** of two-year-olds watch screens daily. Education Secretary **Bridget Phillipson** stated that parents and educators have expressed concerns that “too much passive screen time can start to crowd out the talking, play, and reading that are vital for children’s language and development in the early years.” She emphasized the need for parents to focus on how screens can be effectively integrated into children’s activities rather than whether to use them at all.
Guidance to Address Screen Time Management
The UK government plans to issue guidance in **April 2024**, aimed at helping families incorporate screen use into activities that promote language development, such as talking, playing, and reading. A panel led by **Rachel de Souza**, the Children’s Commissioner for England, and **Prof Russell Viner**, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Education, will review recent evidence and gather input from parents to shape this guidance.
Research commissioned by the government surveyed **4,758** primary caregivers of children when they were nine months old in **2022** and again when they reached two years old between **October 2023 and February 2024**. Findings indicated that, by the age of two, children spent an average of **127 minutes** a day on screens, a significant increase from just **29 minutes** at nine months. The World Health Organization recommends that children aged two to four should have a maximum of **one hour** of screen time per day.
The research also highlighted that **19%** of two-year-olds engage in video gaming, contributing to an average total screen time of **140 minutes** daily. The results indicate a clear correlation between higher screen time and lower vocabulary development. Children with the highest screen time could articulate an average of **53%** of a set of **34** test words, while those with the lowest usage managed **65%**.
Concerns About Mental Health and Behaviour
Despite the overall vocabulary scores showing no significant decline compared to previous cohorts from **2017 to 2020**, the study found that **25%** of the children exhibited signs that may indicate potential behavioral or emotional challenges.
**Neil Leitch**, CEO of the Early Years Alliance, welcomed the forthcoming guidance but urged for inclusion of online safety measures. “While we broadly welcome plans to develop new guidance on screen time for under-fives, it’s crucial that this support is part of a broader framework addressing digital literacy and online safety,” he stated. He emphasized the importance of recognizing that digital media encompasses more than just screens—an understanding that is vital as children navigate an increasingly digital world.
As society grapples with the significance of screen time in early childhood, the upcoming guidance aims to strike a balance, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for learning rather than a barrier to language development.
