Half of parents worried about impact of school screen time on children’s health, poll shows

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Some 47% of mums and dads are concerned classroom devices could harm their children’s eyesight and posture, according to research by the campaign group SafeScreens

Nearly half of parents are worried about the impact of screen time in schools on their children’s health, polling shows.

Some 47% of mums and dads are concerned classroom devices could harm their kids' eyesight and posture, according to research by the campaign group SafeScreens. More than a third (36%) are worried about the impact on their kids’ sleep, the study showed.

It comes after more than 150 clinicians, including GPs, paediatricians and speech and language therapists wrote to Education Secretary Lucy Powell and the Health Secretary Yvette Cooper warning of a “crisis” in children’s physical and developmental health linked to screen-based learning.

They raised concerns about a lack of evidence over the safety and educational value of tech being used in schools. Fears have also been raised over plans to roll out AI powered tutoring tools from next year for up to 450,000 children from disadvantaged backgrounds. It’s estimated that UK schools spend around £900million a year on educational technology, with this figure expected to increase.

Screen time guidance for children over five is currently being drawn up by the Department for Education and is due to be released before Christmas. The government said it will avoid introducing blanket rules as it is clear that technology is now part of childhood and can bring real benefits when used well, from learning and creativity to connection and support for children with SEND.

Ministers last week also unveiled plans to crackdown on mobile phone usage in schools amid just 16% of secondary pupils saying phone rules are followed all of the time.

Under the plans, students could be forced to lock their mobile phones in pouches or lockers or hand them over to teachers during the school day under plans to make classrooms distraction-free. Under strengthened rules published on Tuesday, teachers will be told they must ensure students cannot access their phones at all - with no exceptions.

Ministers have also launched a consultation on…

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