Screen time and online safety
Screens are everywhere — in pockets, prams, kitchens and supermarket queues. The decisions you make in the early years shape the habits your child carries with them.
Less screen time, more real-life play and a few simple online-safety habits go a long way before they’re even old enough to swipe.
What to know about screens in the early years
Screens, simply
Building healthy screen habits
Three areas to think about — how much, how to use it well, and how to keep them safe.
How much
How much screen time should my child have?
The World Health Organisation recommends no screens for under-2s, and no more than one hour a day for children aged 2 to 4.
When screens take over, children miss out on the first-hand experiences that help them grow — a trip to the shops, splashing in puddles, helping with the washing. Over time, too much screen use is linked to delays in language, attention difficulties, poor sleep, increased risk of obesity and challenges with behaviour and empathy.
How to use it well
Top tips for screen use
A few small habits make a big difference — many of them you can put in place before your baby is even born.
* Delay it. Hold off on TVs, tablets and phones for as long as you can.
* Keep some places screen-free. Mealtimes, the car and the pushchair are perfect chatting opportunities.
* Wind down without screens. Read a bedtime story and avoid screens for the two hours before bed.
* Prioritise play. It’s the most powerful learning tool your child has.
* Skip the digital dummy. When they’re upset, try a song, a cuddle or a book first.
* Don’t use screens as reward or punishment. It builds expectations that are hard to undo.
* Be present, not just nearby. A screen can’t replace your face, your voice and your laughter.
* Switch off background noise. A TV running in the background pulls focus from play and chat.
* Choose people over pixels. Given the choice, most children will pick a person every time.
* Avoid short-form scroll content. TikTok-style clips can chip away at attention spans.
* Watch your own habits. Little ones are always watching and copying you.
When you do use a screen, pick a bigger one, watch together, choose age-appropriate content like CBeebies, and sit comfortably.
Staying safe
Keeping safe online
Your little one is just starting to use a screen, and you’re usually right there with them — but it’s never too early to start the online-safety conversation.
Talk about what they’re watching, who they’re watching with and what to do if something feels wrong. Use parental controls on every device, keep screens in shared spaces, and treat each new app or game as a chance to learn something together.
Putting screens down
What to do instead
The best alternative to a screen is something simple — a chat, a song, a wander to the park. Here’s where to start.
