Early years screen time and usage

Applies to England

This call for evidence has closed

Detail of outcome

The government commissioned the Early Years Screen Time Advisory Group to prepare an independent report on screen use by children aged under 5, which has now been published.

The report provided the evidential foundation for the screen-use advice for parents and carers of under-5s, which is available on the Best Start in Life website.

Original call for evidence

Summary

The government has committed to publishing guidance on early years screen time. We are seeking evidence to inform the guidance.

This call for evidence was held on another website.

This call for evidence ran from
1pm on 2 February 2026 to 11:59pm on 16 February 2026

Call for evidence description

This is an opportunity to provide evidence that will inform the development of new parental guidance on screen time and usage for early years (0 to 5-year-old) children.

The evidence will be considered by the Early Years Screen Time Advisory Group when producing the new guidance.

We want to collect evidence from individuals and organisations with a range of knowledge and expertise. We anticipate that this will include, but not be limited to:  

• pedagogy and education experts 
• research organisations 
• education charities

From: Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care