No screens before the age of two, and no more than one hour per day for children aged two to five: the UK Government has published its official recommendations on screen time for young children.

To help parents set boundaries and avoid harmful effects highlighted by many experts, the rules are designed to be simple. In particular, it is recommended to avoid exposing children aged two to five to screens during meals or before bedtime, and to ensure that an adult is present, according to the document published online on the government’s official early childhood website.

“Raising children in the digital age can feel like a real challenge. Screens are everywhere and advice is often conflicting. My government will not leave parents to face this battle alone,” said Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Starmer was scheduled to visit a school in South London today to announce these new recommendations.

These measures stem from findings in a government report, which highlights that experts believe “extended screen time can harm key developmental activities such as sleep, physical activity, creative play, and interaction with parents.”

Parents “want clear, non-judgmental information about why it is important to limit screen time, presented in a way that reflects the reality of their daily lives,” said Rachel de Souza, who led the report.

These measures follow other announcements and decisions by the Labour government aimed at addressing the risks of digital tools.

A recent consultation has been launched on whether the country should follow the example of Australia, which in December banned social media for those under 16. The consultation, which runs until May 26, is also examining other types of restrictions, such as banning addictive features like scrolling.

Additionally, from July 25, 2025, websites, social networks, and video-sharing platforms will be required to implement strict age verification measures to prevent minors from accessing, in particular, pornographic content.