Online safety for early years (under 5)

No. Screens are now part of everyday life for many families and can offer positive experiences when used in the right way.

Young children learn best through talking, playing, moving and exploring the world around them, so digital activities should sit alongside these experiences rather than replace them.

It can be helpful to think about the whole picture: what children are watching or playing, when they are using screens, and whether they are still getting enough sleep, physical activity, social interaction and opportunities for offline play.

There is no perfect amount of screen time that works for every family. The goal is to create healthy screen habits that support your child’s development.

UK Government guidance suggests:

• Under 2s: Avoid screen time where possible, except for things like video calls with family or looking at photos together.
• 2–5 year olds: Aim to limit recreational screen time to around one hour a day or less where possible.

It is not just about the time they spend, what children watch, how they use screens and what they do away from screens matters too. Choose age-appropriate content and make sure there is plenty of time for play, movement, sleep and time with others.

Every family’s routine is different. The aim is not to be perfect, but to build healthy habits that work for your family.

For younger children, online safety is mostly about creating safe spaces for exploration.

You can support children by:

• Choosing child-friendly apps, games and platforms
• Using parental controls and child profiles where available
• Turning off autoplay and limiting recommendations where possible
• Checking what children are watching and playing
• Keeping devices in shared family spaces where you can easily stay involved

As children get older, these early habits can help them learn how to use technology safely and responsibly.

YouTube Kids can offer young children access to songs, stories and educational videos in a YouTube Kids can offer access to songs, stories and age-appropriate videos, but it does not guarantee that every video will be right for every child. Parents and carers should still set up the experience carefully and stay involved in what children watch.

For children under 2, UK guidance recommends avoiding screen time where possible, except for shared activities such as video calls or looking at photos together. For older toddlers and preschool children, choose content that supports learning, creativity and curiosity.

To make YouTube Kids a more positive experience:

• Set up a child profile with the correct age settings
• Choose approved content where possible or review what children are watching regularly
• Turn off autoplay if you want children to have clearer stopping points
• Use the parental controls to manage search, content and viewing options
• Watch together when you can and talk about what children have seen

When choosing videos, focus on quality rather than simply whether they are made for children. Good-quality content should:

• Match your child’s age and stage of development
• Encourage curiosity, creativity and learning
• Use clear stories, language and positive messages
• Inspire conversations, imagination or activities away from the screen

Remember, even child-friendly platforms work best as part of a balanced routine with plenty of time for play, movement, sleep and time with others.

Not all content designed for children offers the same benefits. The best digital experiences are designed with young children’s development in mind and encourage curiosity, creativity and learning.

Look for content that:

• Matches children’s age and stage of development
• Uses simple language and clear stories
• Encourages children to think, respond or create
• Inspires conversations or play away from the screen
• Has clear endings rather than encouraging endless viewing

Be cautious of content that relies on constant rewards, autoplay or repeated prompts designed to keep children watching or tapping.

No. Watching or playing together can be valuable because it helps children understand what they see and connect it to the real world, but it is not realistic for parents to be involved every time.

When possible, join in by asking questions, singing songs together or talking about what happened in a story. If you cannot join in, try to keep young children using screens in a shared family space where you can see and hear what they are doing.

Choosing trusted, age-appropriate content, setting up child-friendly controls and creating clear routines can help make screen time a positive part of family life.

This is a common challenge, especially for younger children who are still learning self-regulation and managing transitions.

It can help to:

• Set clear expectations before screen time starts, including how long it will last
• Use a visual timer or countdown so children can see when screen time is coming to an end
• Give reminders before switching off, such as “five more minutes, then we’re going to put the tablet away”
• End at a natural stopping point, such as after a story or activity finishes
• Have another enjoyable activity ready afterwards, such as reading, building, drawing or playing outside

If children regularly struggle to stop, consider whether the content is too stimulating, whether screen time is too close to bedtime or whether they need more support with transitions.

Remember, learning to stop an enjoyable activity is a skill that develops over time. Consistent routines and calm, predictable boundaries can help children build this skill.