Doctors warn of health crisis from school screen overuse

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 08:32 · Archive

More than 150 clinicians have warned that nearly one million schoolchildren spend almost every lesson on screens without any safety checks.

More than 150 clinicians have warned ministers that screen-based learning in schools is causing a physical and developmental health 'crisis'. The signatories, including GPs, ophthalmologists, audiologists, paediatricians and speech and language therapists, have written an open letter to Health Secretary Yvette Cooper and Education Secretary Lucy Powell describing the absence of child-focused health scrutiny of EdTech products as 'a serious safeguarding concern'.

Nearly one million children now spend almost every lesson on screens, according to analysis cited by the clinicians. Many of these children spend longer on screens in the classroom than they are recommended to spend in a day. English schools spend approximately £900 million annually on EdTech products and platforms.

The clinicians argue that EdTech devices and platforms currently used by millions of pupils face no equivalent child-focused health scrutiny before being purchased by schools, despite being used extensively for schoolwork and homework. They note that 'no drug, food product or toy is given to millions of children without a single safety check'. The letter also points to a rise in short-sightedness among UK children, with the proportion more than doubling since the 1960s, and notes that more than two million UK children are now struggling with speech and language.

How it is being reported

• Cut screen time in classrooms to avoid long-term health issues, government urgedA group of clinicians warns technology use in English schools is driving a rise in health problems like short-sightedness.BBC News · 13 Oct, 09:22
• Screens at schools fuelling child health 'crisis', doctors warnAbout one million children now spend nearly every lesson on screensThe Independent · 13 Oct, 08:15
• Doctors warn of health 'crisis' as almost 1million schoolchildren using screens in nearly all lessonsA group of more than 150 clinicians has warned children are being denied vital development opportunities due to an over-reliance on untested 'EdTech' products and softwareThe Mirror · 13 Oct, 08:05

In this story: Yvette Cooper · Lucy Powell · UK · English schools

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