Technology is evolving rapidly and becoming an integral part of daily life. Digital Child (2022) defines digital technology as including “devices such as personal computers and tablets, tools such as cameras, calculators, and digital toys, systems such as software and apps, augmented and virtual reality.”

A recent Ofcom (2024) report found that 25% of three-and four-year-olds now own a smartphone, highlighting the increasing accessibility of digital technology for young children. However, the widespread use of digital devices has had both positive and negative impacts on child development. For example, on the positive side, educational games and apps foster creativity and support skills like literacy and artistic expression. 

There are many concerns among parents and caregivers regarding the risks that are associated with children and young people’s exposure to inappropriate content, including images, music, and text. In response to this, major technology companies are implementing measures to enhance online safety for children.

Not only are there concerns about what children and young people are viewing, but too much screen time has been shown to have a detrimental effect on health and development, even altering how children interact with their surroundings. For example: 

• Exposure to online content has led some children to adopt Americanisms in their speech (BBC, 2025), while digital toys often fail to provide the rich vocabulary and social interactions that traditional play offers. 
• Some children experience delays in language development, struggling with sentence construction and conversations with peers and adults. 
• Other studies indicate that prolonged screen time use may reduce physical dexterity, with one report showing that 39% of children struggle to hold a pencil (Kindred Squared, 2024).
• Screen time has been associated with school readiness concerns, as 50% of primary school teachers reported that children in 2024 were less prepared for school than those in 2022 (The Independent, 2024).

To help children and young people make the most of technology while minimising risks, several steps can be taken:

• Parental Guidance: Setting healthy screen time limits and ensuring that digital content is engaging, educational, and age-appropriate. Encouraging co-viewing and discussions about online experiences can also help children develop a balanced approach to technology.
• Educational Support: Schools and educators can introduce children to digital technology in meaningful ways, such as interactive learning games. Teaching online safety from an early age is also essential to help children navigate the digital world responsibly.
• Industry Responsibility: Tech companies and content providers should continue to develop and promote parental controls, making it easier for families to create safe digital environments. Raising awareness among parents about these tools is key to ensuring children’s online safety.

Here are some helpful resources to guide you on appropriate screen time for your child’s age:

• BBC Tiny Happy People: Screentime for Kids
• Twinkl: Recommended Screen Time for Children
• NCT: Screentime for babies and toddlers: how much?

References and Further Reading:

• BBC (2025) Pre-school children’s screen time at ‘crisis point’. [Online] Available at: BBC
• Digital Child (2022). Defining digital technology. [Online] Available at: Digital Child
• Kindred Squared (2024). School Readiness Survey. [Online] Available at: Kindred Squared Report
• The Independent (2024). Some children starting school ‘unable to climb staircase’, finds England and Wales teacher survey. [Online] Available at: The Independent Article