How screen time affects toddlers: ‘We’re losing a big part of being human’
In the UK, 98% of two-year-olds watch screens on a typical day, on average for more than two hours – and almost 40% of three- to five-year-olds use social media. Could this lead to alarming outcomes?
TL;DR
- 98% of UK two-year-olds watch screens daily, averaging over two hours.
- Nearly 40% of three- to five-year-olds use social media.
- Early exposure to screens is associated with difficulties in sitting still, holding pencils, and forming sentences.
- Children show frustration with non-instant activities and struggle with tasks requiring hand-eye coordination and problem-solving.
- An 'individualism' is noted, with children needing to be taught basic social skills like sharing and teamwork.
- Children with extensive screen time (around five hours daily) show limited vocabulary and increased emotional/behavioral difficulties.
- Concerns exist about online sexual abuse and grooming, with a four-year-old being the youngest victim reported.
- Over half of teachers believe excessive screen time (by children and parents) hinders school readiness.
- 28% of children reported by reception teachers cannot use a book correctly, swiping pages like a device.
- The WHO recommends no screen time for children under two and a maximum of one hour for two- to four-year-olds.
- The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated screen use, with parents relying on screens for pacification and work-from-home challenges.
- Children from disadvantaged families are more likely to spend extended time on screens.
- Speech and language therapists report children with poor attention, listening, turn-taking, and language skills.
- Preschoolers with high screen time struggle to follow instructions and interact with toys or people.
- A screen-free classroom at Stoke Primary School showed improved 'on track' learning rates compared to traditional classrooms.
- Reducing screens in early years is crucial for language acquisition and long-term academic success.