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View Full Version : Under five's should be allowed "only" one hour of screen time a day


arista
27-03-2026, 02:33 AM
Sky News text:
[The prime minister has warned that
children under five should be
allowed "only" one hour of screen time a day,
The newspaper reports that
Sir Keir Starmer has said that new
expert guidance on the issue will help parents
in the "battle over use of devices".

It adds that Labour is still deciding on a
potential ban on social media for under-16s.]



https://liveblog.digitalimages.sky/lc-images-sky/lcimg-a0e0c4fb-9312-41ab-a27f-0e5851d5bb95.jpeg


https://liveblog.digitalimages.sky/lc-images-sky/lcimg-5d7c7f54-98d0-41c6-8f7f-6a549145a99d.jpeg

Redway
27-03-2026, 03:11 AM
When were they allowed screens in the first place?

Mystic Mock
27-03-2026, 06:28 AM
Under five's shouldn't really be using the Internet anyway imo.

And I remember playing things like Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 between the ages of 3-7 years old, but my parents always made sure that I was never on either Game for too long.

Especially my Mom, she was around me a lot more than my Dad due to his work hours (in his defence) so she made sure that I was never too tired and brainrotted for School.

I was just naturally dumb unfortunately for her.:joker:

Ammi
27-03-2026, 07:54 AM
When were they allowed screens in the first place?

Under five's shouldn't really be using the Internet anyway imo.

And I remember playing things like Sonic Adventure 1 & 2 between the ages of 3-7 years old, but my parents always made sure that I was never on either Game for too long.

Especially my Mom, she was around me a lot more than my Dad due to his work hours (in his defence) so she made sure that I was never too tired and brainrotted for School.

I was just naturally dumb unfortunately for her.:joker:

…I haven’t read the article but I’m presuming/assuming that screen time includes TV watching as well and many under fives will have some TV time, I would say ….even watching a Disney movie or something would probably be over an hour of screen time so recommended to be ‘broken down’ into segments and serialised for under fives…

bots
27-03-2026, 08:53 AM
i think the emphasis is all wrong. Under 5's need (amongst other things) near constant stimulation from new and wonderful things. Doing anything for extended periods is not ideal. Take them out for a walk and there is an endless world of stimulation.

Crimson Dynamo
27-03-2026, 09:03 AM
This is a parenting issue, f off Starmer

Livia
27-03-2026, 10:11 AM
The only screen time my kids had under-5 was a little TV and film or two occasionally. Neither my OH nor I spend a lot if time on our phones, I use a tablet but not really when the kids are around. They were both readers before they went to school and have loads of hobbies. They use tablets at school for some lessons but I don't encourage it at home. And when they get older neither one will be allowed a computer if any kind in their room, in private.

Oliver_W
27-03-2026, 08:15 PM
A reductio ad absurdum would be something like "limit the screen time, put them in front of the TV for hours instead, like I had!" or something similar.

But there is a difference between a shared universal (i.e. television) screen, even if it is showing CBeebies, and a personal screen held inches from the face.

Parmy
27-03-2026, 08:52 PM
The new dummy.

Pop it back if they scream.

Parmy
27-03-2026, 08:56 PM
What's a mum, or dad to do? Half way through a pile of ironing with a toddler when the timer runs out.


Pop them on the edge of the board, or something? So many simple miniscule problems of an idea always ends in failure of that idea.

Benjamin
27-03-2026, 11:34 PM
What's a mum, or dad to do? Half way through a pile of ironing with a toddler when the timer runs out.


Pop them on the edge of the board, or something? So many simple miniscule problems of an idea always ends in failure of that idea.

Our parents managed it without social media

Mystic Mock
30-03-2026, 08:07 AM
…I haven’t read the article but I’m presuming/assuming that screen time includes TV watching as well and many under fives will have some TV time, I would say ….even watching a Disney movie or something would probably be over an hour of screen time so recommended to be ‘broken down’ into segments and serialised for under fives…

So he wants us to be like China?

Mystic Mock
30-03-2026, 08:08 AM
This is a parenting issue, f off Starmer

Exactly.

He thinks that this weird behaviour will get him votes.

Ammi
30-03-2026, 08:30 AM
So he wants us to be like China?

…I was just clarifying that I don’t think that it’s referring to internet time so much as all/any screen time, including TV time, which isn’t uncommon for under 5yr old to have…

Parmy
30-03-2026, 10:08 AM
This arsehole thinks he's Nanny Mcphee

Livia
30-03-2026, 10:13 AM
Kids are starting school unable to handle a book, trying to 'swipe' the pages. Parents need to take responsibility.

Mystic Mock
30-03-2026, 10:38 AM
…I was just clarifying that I don’t think that it’s referring to internet time so much as all/any screen time, including TV time, which isn’t uncommon for under 5yr old to have…

I get what you're saying tbf.

I just don't understand why Starmer believes that his opinion matters when it comes to how parents raise their kids?

bots
30-03-2026, 10:59 AM
Under 5's need a variety of stimuli for early development. That's a more balanced way of putting the argument in my opinion