Landmark Review Warns Against Screen Time for Babies Under Two

The Action on Digital Device Immersive Conditions Team, a collaboration of scholars from the University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University, Loughborough University and Aston University, completed a comprehensive review of research on screen exposure for children under two. The analysis concluded that intentional screen time offers no measurable benefit and is associated with developmental concerns, including parent-child bonding, physical play, language acquisition, overstimulation, sleep disruption, eye-health issues and obesity risk. While the review does not establish causation, it stresses that “no under-twos should receive regular intentional screen time.” The team recommends a “baby screen-time risk assessment” for families showing vulnerabilities and urges policymakers to reconsider guidance that permits shared screen use for under-fives.

The Guardian

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, said the guidance for children under two “is clear, but acknowledges the realities of our world today and that some shared screen use… is perfectly normal.” A Department for Education spokesperson added the agency is “proud of our first-of-its-kind screen time guidance for parents of under-fives, which provides clear, trusted support.” Both officials emphasized balancing discouragement of regular screen exposure with occasional shared use such as video-calling.

The Guardian

The review criticises guidance for allowing “shared screen time, screen time for learning, screen time for communication and/or screen time for children experiencing disabilities/learning difficulties,” warning that such phrasing may be misread as endorsement. Researchers call for a “baby screen-time risk assessment” to target families with developmental vulnerabilities. Andrea Leadsom, former Conservative minister, called the findings a “wake-up call” and urged the government to expand Best Start family hubs to provide trusted advice without fear of judgment.

The Guardian

The authors acknowledge that the review cannot prove causation between screen exposure and specific developmental outcomes, highlighting a gap that requires longitudinal studies to determine definitive risk thresholds.

The Guardian

• “This has to change,” — Rafe Clayton, Senior Lecturer, University of Leeds

The Guardian

• “no under-twos should receive regular intentional screen time. Passive exposure is societally unavoidable, so adding deliberate use compounds risk without any meaningful benefit.” — Action on Digital Device Immersive Conditions Team

The Guardian

• “The government must consider how to engage with families better about problematic screen use, whilst being sensitive to the fear of judgment that many parents face when opening up about such issues.” — Carmen Clayton, Professor, Leeds Trinity University

The Guardian

• “For children under two, the recommendation to avoid screen time is clear, but acknowledges the realities of our world today and that some shared screen use in a limited number of circumstances, such as video-calling relatives or supported learning, is perfectly normal.” — Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner for England

The Guardian

The team will pilot the baby screen-time risk assessment in select local services, while lobbying for revised guidance and expanded Best Start hubs to support families.

The Guardian