Khaberni - The UK government is preparing to issue its first official guidelines for parents regarding screen usage among children under the age of five, with an announcement scheduled for next April. This move comes after growing concerns about the impact of excessive screen usage on language development in young children.
According to "The Guardian," this initiative is based on government-commissioned research showing that two-year-olds who spend up to five hours a day in front of screens have weaker language skills compared to their peers whose average usage is around 44 minutes daily.
Although screens have become nearly omnipresent in children's lives from an early age, authorities stress that the new guidelines are not intended to impose a strict ban, but rather to offer practical advice that families can implement in their daily lives, according to a report published by "phonearena" and reviewed by "Arabia Business."
The focus on passive viewing
The forthcoming recommendations will primarily focus on what is known as "passive use," i.e., when a child watches content without interaction or participation from parents.
Studies indicate that language development is faster when learning is accompanied by direct interaction, like dialogue, gesturing, naming, and repetition.
The guidelines are expected to include simple tips aimed at preventing screens from replacing essential activities such as playing, reading, and shared speaking, taking into account parents' views and the family's daily routine, rather than imposing rigid rules that are difficult to adhere to.
Alarming numbers
Data shows that screen usage habits are formed very early; the average daily usage is about 29 minutes at nine months old, before jumping to about 127 minutes per day by the age of two.
Also, 98% of children at this age watch television or digital videos daily.
This exceeds the recommendations of the World Health Organization, which advises that screen time for children between two and four years old should not exceed one hour per day.
The study also recorded that 19% of two-year-olds play video games, increasing the total duration of usage, combining viewing and gaming, to about 140 minutes per day.
The results showed that children who used screens the most had fewer words in a 34-word language test compared to children who used them less.
What can parents do now?
Prior to the issuance of the official guidelines, experts are advising parents to try to transform screen time into a shared activity instead of letting it serve as a constant background.
Sitting with the child, talking about what they are watching, and asking simple questions can reduce negative impacts and enhance language development and interaction.
Expectations suggest that the final guidelines may also include elements related to digital safety and simple principles of digital culture, to keep up with children's realities in the age of screens.
While parents await these recommendations in April, minimizing "passive viewing" and increasing daily interaction are among the simplest steps that can make a real difference in children's linguistic and behavioral development.
