Worry Less About Screen Time

Parents have been advised to worry less about their children’s screen time following a report by leading paediatricians which says there’s little evidence of it being harmful. The review of evidence did, however, find associations between higher screen use and obesity and depression.

In a report by BBC News, the guidance avoids setting screen time limits, but recommends not using them in the hour before bedtime. Experts say it is important that the use of devices does not replace sleep, exercising and time with family.

Most of the evidence in the review was based on television screen time, but also included other screen use, such as phones and computers. If you’re concerned about the amount of time your kids spend on smartphones, tablets and computers, there’s lots more advice available in our Autumn Unplug Your Kids feature.