Supporting digital lives of children aged 5 & under

Government guidance in the UK suggests no screen time for children aged 2 & under, and an hour or less for children aged 2-5. This is based on research and evidence from experts in early childhood development.

Remember that screen time isn’t just ‘good’ or ‘bad‘. Your child’s limited screen time can support their development. Prioritise digital activities which encourage play, movement and discovery. While screen time should not replace offline activities, it can complement and support those experiences.

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- to 5-year-olds: Aim to limit screen time to around one hour a day or less where possible.

This is a recommendation based on expert guidance and research. Aim to balance screen time with non-screen activities.

And try to ensure that their screen time is spent with slow-paced and repetitive content which promotes calm. Focus on content that supports their development, whatever their age.

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 (and doing these things together)
• 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, but it does not guarantee that every video will be right for every child.

You still need to set up the app carefully and stay involved in what your child watches.

To make YouTube Kids a more positive experience:

• Set up a child profile with the correct age settings
• Choose approved videos and channels
• Review what children are watching regularly
• Turn off autoplay
• Use the parental controls to manage search, content and viewing options
• Watch together when you can and talk with your child about what they see

Safe Vision is another tool you can use to help manage your family’s YouTube experience.

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, repetition 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
• Is slower-paced and calm

Be cautious of content that relies on constant rewards, autoplay or 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.

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 your child regularly struggles 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.

Young children like to learn by copying, so it’s only natural that they want to do something an older sibling is – particularly if they look up to them.

Remember that giving in just once can make it more difficult to say no in the future. It’s okay for them to be upset but make sure to remain calm and hold strong.

Where possible, involve your older child in discussions around boundaries. You can explain to them that their younger sibling isn’t ready for some types of content, for example. Decide where they can access that content out of reach of their sibling. This can help them take more responsibility of their screen time as well.

You can also bridge the gap by watching or playing together. For example, if your older child likes to watch a series that might be scary for a younger child to watch alone, consider whether it could become a family activity. That way, you can manage content and possible impacts in real time.