Early years screen time and usage: call for evidence

Overview

Introduction

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

Who is this for?

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

Issue date

The call for evidence was issued on 2 February 2026.

Enquiries

If your enquiry is related to the content of this call for evidence you can contact the team on at eyscreentime.guidance@education.gov.uk

If your enquiry is related to the DfE e-consultation website or the call for evidence process in general, you can contact the DfE Ministerial and Public Communications Division by email: coordinator.consultations@education.gov.uk, telephone: 0370 000 2288 or via the DfE Contact us page.

Additional copies

Additional copies are available electronically and can be downloaded from DfE policy papers, consultations and calls for evidence.

The response 

The evidence gathered will be considered by the Early years screen time advisory group when producing new parental guidance on screen time and usage for early years (0-5 year-old) children.

About this call for evidence

In 2019, the UK’s Chief Medical Officers published advice for parents and carers on children’s screen-based activities.

While the government continues to closely monitor the emerging evidence base on the causal relationship between screen time, social media and children’s health, it has asked a panel of experts to review the currently available advice on early years screen time and produce new government guidance for parents.

This call for evidence is seeking information the panel should consider when producing the new guidance. We use the terms ‘parents’ and ‘parenting’ to encompass the wide range of family and caring dynamics that may take place for 0-5 year-olds. 

In the following questions, the term ‘impact’ should be considered broadly; for example, including development, wellbeing, social and emotional impacts, physical and mental health, and safeguarding risks.

Respond online

To help us analyse the responses please use the online system wherever possible. Visit DfE consultations on GOV.UK to submit your response.

Other ways to respond

If for exceptional reasons, you are unable to use the online system, for example because you use specialist accessibility software that is not compatible with the system, you may request an alternative format of the form.

By email

Eyscreentime.guidance@education.gov.uk

By post:

Early years screen time guidance team

Department for Education

Sanctuary Buildings

Great Smith Street

London

SW1P3BT

Deadline

The Call for Evidence closes at 11:59pm on 16 February 2026.