UK to issue guidance on smartphone and screen use for children
Call for evidence launched to examine children’s digital lives at home and school.
The Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care have announced plans to publish guidance on mobile device use for children aged 5 to 16. The guidance, due to be published this autumn, aims to provide parents with practical advice on issues including screen time, social media use, sleep and smartphone habits.
A three-week call for evidence has been launched to help shape the guidance, supported by an independent expert group co-chaired by Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and Professor Russell Viner. The review will also examine how children use screens in schools and at home.
The government said technology can support learning, creativity and inclusion, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities. It added that the guidance will focus on helping families make informed decisions about online safety rather than imposing blanket restrictions on technology use.
Alongside the guidance, the government plans additional measures relating to technology in education, including the possible introduction of safety certification for certain school technology products and the creation of an AI Youth Advisory Board.
Ministers are also considering measures such as app curfews, time limits and other tools aimed at improving children’s online safety. The announcement was made in the UK, where ministers said technology used in schools should be safe, effective and supported by evidence.
Why does it matter?
Governments around the world are increasingly examining the impact of smartphones, social media and digital platforms on children’s wellbeing, safety and development. While technology can provide educational and social benefits, concerns have grown over excessive screen time, online harms, sleep disruption and the effects of digital services on young people.
The UK’s approach reflects a broader policy trend towards evidence-based guidance and targeted safeguards rather than outright restrictions. The review may also influence future discussions on digital wellbeing, online safety, parental controls and the role of technology in education.
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