Screen Time & Child Development: Research and Evidence
The evidence is clear - excessive screen time is having a measurable impact on young children's physical, cognitive and emotional development. From rising rates of short-sightedness and speech and language delays, to disrupted sleep and reduced physical activity, researchers, clinicians and health organisations across the UK and beyond are raising the alarm.
At 50 Things To Do Before You're Five, we believe every family and early years professional deserves access to the best available evidence. Below you'll find curated research and guidance from leading organisations including the World Health Organisation, NHS England, Speech and Language UK, and Health Professionals for Safer Screens - all focused on the impact of screen time on children under five.
Whether you're a parent concerned about your child's development, an early years practitioner looking for evidence to support conversations with families, or a commissioner making the case for early intervention, this research is for you.
Have a look through the resources below...
Our kids, their screens, the evidence
As clinicians, Health Professionals for Safer Screens witness the harmful effects of screen time in children daily in their clinics.
Smartphones, screens and social media usage impact every part of our children’s lives from their early cognitive development through to their physical development – obesity, eyesight, eating disorders to their social development, mental health and academic attainment.
This is a disaster for our children and for our society. Watch the video and visit their website to find out more.
What other organisations and professionals are saying...
Acknowledgements
Sallis, J.F., Prochaska, J.J. and Taylor, W.C. (2000). A review of correlates of physical activity of children and adolescents. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, [online] 32(5), pp.96375. doi:
Mackett, R.L. and Paskins, J. (2008). Children’s Physical Activity: The Contribution of Playing and Walking. Children & Society, 22(5), pp.345–357. doi:
Woffindin, L. (2024). The Impact of Technology on Modern Child Development. [online] CPD Online College.
Speech and Language UK (2024). Impact of speech and language challenges on formative school years revealed. [online] Speech and Language UK.
NHS England (2022). Physical activity guidelines for children (under 5 years). [online]
Muppalla SK, Vuppalapati S, Reddy Pulliahgaru A, Sreenivasulu H. (2023). Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development: An Updated Review and Strategies for Management. [online] Cureus vol. 15,6 e40608.
Nichani Dr Sanjiv OBE. (2025). Dr Sanjiv Nichani OBE explains the key issues. [online] Health professionals for safer screens.
Roxby Phillipa. (2024). One in three children short-sighted, study suggests. [online] BBC News Health.