Toddlers' screen time linked to saying fewer words

Government research finds toddlers who use screens for about five hours a day say fewer words than those with lower use, and ministers plan guidance on under‑5 screen time to be published in April.

New government research has reported a link between higher screen use in very young children and reduced spoken vocabulary. Officials say this finding comes as parents, teachers and nursery staff report children arriving at settings with more difficulty holding conversations and concentrating. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said roughly 98% of children are using screens daily by age two. The government has announced plans to publish guidance for parents on under‑5 screen time in April and to form a national working group. Key points: - Government research reports children with the highest screen time (around five hours a day) said significantly fewer words than those watching about 44 minutes daily. - Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said about 98% of children are watching screens such as mobiles, tablets and TV every day by age two. - Parents, teachers and nursery staff have reported that some children are finding it harder to hold conversations and focus in nursery or school. - The government will publish first guidance on under‑5 screen time in April and has set up a national working group led by the children's commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza and Department for Education scientific adviser Professor Russell Viner; the group's terms of reference are due to be published on Monday. Summary: The research suggests a connection between extended screen time in very young children and reduced spoken vocabulary, and officials report observations of weaker conversational and attention skills. The government plans to publish guidance for parents on under‑5 screen use in April and has established a national working group with terms of reference to be published shortly. Undetermined at this time.