Families with young children and ‘screen time’ advice

There is currently a lack of guidance for both parents and health professionals regarding screen time and the use of digital devices by 0- to 5-year-olds, despite rising concerns among health visitors. In a context of increasing reliance on digital technologies, public anxiety about the still-uncertain outcomes for children, and a policy debate that prioritises risks over opportunities, this article offers a balanced assessment of recent evidence that can underpin realistic screen media guidance. While evidence for screen-related risks is less strong than often supposed, it appears that parent-child interaction mitigates any associated harms of screen time, also fostering screen-based learning opportunities. We conclude with some practical, evidence-based suggestions for health visitors