Conservatives back plan to limit classroom screen time for children

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 16:49 · Archive

The Conservative Party is supporting guidance recommending no screen time for early years children and limits on screens in primary and secondary schools.

The Conservative Party is supporting guidance drafted by health professionals that recommends no screen time for early years education, minimal screen use in primary schools, and a maximum of two hours daily for secondary school pupils, including usage outside school hours. Shadow education secretary Laura Trott said screens were causing 'real damage' to children after schools embraced electronic devices for day-to-day activities.

Trott told The Times that screens posed a danger to children's health, happiness and learning. She highlighted the inconsistency that adults have a legal right to break from screens within law, yet this has not been examined for children. She noted that some pupils spend entire school days on screens only to continue using them at home for several hours.

The guidance states that screens should only be used when necessary to meet national curriculum requirements. Health professionals warn that screen use can lead to physical and developmental problems including eyesight, sleep and musculoskeletal issues, and can affect speech and language development and emotional regulation. Analysis by Health Professionals for Safer Screens found that nearly one million schoolchildren were learning from screens during most lessons, while around 2.6 million used screens daily. Screen use in classrooms has increased significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic.

How it is being reported

• Schools should limit time children stare at screens in class because it is a danger to their health, Tories sayThe Conservatives are supporting guidance drafted by health professionals recommending that children in school should have no screen time.Daily Mail · 14 Nov, 16:35
• Tories call for ‘dangerous’ screen time to be limited in classroomThe shadow education secretary said screens were doing ‘real damage’ to young peopleThe Independent · 14 Nov, 12:31

In this story: Conservative Party · Laura Trott · Health Professionals for Safer Screens · The Times

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