Screen Use by Children Aged under Five: Independent Report. Early Years Screen Time Advisory Group
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| Title: | Screen Use by Children Aged under Five: Independent Report. Early Years Screen Time Advisory Group |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Early Years Screen Time Advisory Group, Department for Education (DfE) (United Kingdom) |
| Source: | UK Department for Education. 2026. |
| Availability: | UK Department for Education. Castle View House East Lane, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 2GJ, UK. Tel: +44-37-0000-2288; Fax: +44-19-2873-8248; Web site: http://www.education.gov.uk |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 50 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Information Analyses Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Computer Use, Television Viewing, Young Children, Guidelines, Government Role, Computer Uses in Education, Parent Role, Child Development, Public Policy, Time, Child Safety, Parent Influence, Family Environment, Child Health, Well Being, Risk, Artificial Intelligence, Disabilities |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom (England) |
| Abstract: | Digital technology is now used in nearly every part of daily lives for families in England. They use it for many different purposes, utilising many different devices. Screen use for the under-fives should always be understood within the wider context of their overall learning and development experience, complementing, rather than replacing, the vital role of face-to-face interaction, play, and exploration. Whilst high-quality digital content can support early learning, it cannot substitute for the social, emotional, and physical experiences that come from real-world engagement. For young children especially, responsive adult-child interaction remains central to healthy development, and screen use should be designed to enhance, not diminish, these foundational experiences. The UK Government has commissioned this review because it recognises the need to balance the embracing of technology with promoting the health and development of younger children, so that they can thrive. The Early Years Screen Time Advisory Group (EYSTAG) was established by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to review the currently available evidence on early years screen time and provide its own expert advice to inform new government guidance on screen time for children aged under five. The panel included eminent experts in early childhood development and screen use within the UK. This report comprises the panel's expert opinion and a summary of the evidence it collected and reviewed. It includes the panel's recommendations to government for guidance to parents but is not guidance in and of itself. EYSTAG has not sought to provide advice for early years educational settings, where the use of screens for educational purposes requires different considerations. Between January and March 2026, the panel considered evidence of both positive and negative impacts of screen use in children under five years of age from a rapid review of the scientific literature and consultation with stakeholders, parents and children themselves. The panel explains the methodology later in this report and in detail in the related "Methods for review of systematic reviews" report. This report provides recommendations for guidance to parents on positive steps they can take regarding screen use to support their children's wellbeing and development. The panel have sought to present a balanced view, being clear where there is insufficient evidence to reach a definitive conclusion but taking account of the panel's expertise in child development. The panel took a precautionary approach where evidence was particularly lacking, emphasising caution and avoiding potential harm. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED679959 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Digital technology is now used in nearly every part of daily lives for families in England. They use it for many different purposes, utilising many different devices. Screen use for the under-fives should always be understood within the wider context of their overall learning and development experience, complementing, rather than replacing, the vital role of face-to-face interaction, play, and exploration. Whilst high-quality digital content can support early learning, it cannot substitute for the social, emotional, and physical experiences that come from real-world engagement. For young children especially, responsive adult-child interaction remains central to healthy development, and screen use should be designed to enhance, not diminish, these foundational experiences. The UK Government has commissioned this review because it recognises the need to balance the embracing of technology with promoting the health and development of younger children, so that they can thrive. The Early Years Screen Time Advisory Group (EYSTAG) was established by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to review the currently available evidence on early years screen time and provide its own expert advice to inform new government guidance on screen time for children aged under five. The panel included eminent experts in early childhood development and screen use within the UK. This report comprises the panel's expert opinion and a summary of the evidence it collected and reviewed. It includes the panel's recommendations to government for guidance to parents but is not guidance in and of itself. EYSTAG has not sought to provide advice for early years educational settings, where the use of screens for educational purposes requires different considerations. Between January and March 2026, the panel considered evidence of both positive and negative impacts of screen use in children under five years of age from a rapid review of the scientific literature and consultation with stakeholders, parents and children themselves. The panel explains the methodology later in this report and in detail in the related "Methods for review of systematic reviews" report. This report provides recommendations for guidance to parents on positive steps they can take regarding screen use to support their children's wellbeing and development. The panel have sought to present a balanced view, being clear where there is insufficient evidence to reach a definitive conclusion but taking account of the panel's expertise in child development. The panel took a precautionary approach where evidence was particularly lacking, emphasising caution and avoiding potential harm. |
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