Advice around children’s screen use can be overwhelming. There is no single ‘right’ approach

Key points

• Advice for parents about young children and screens is growing more complex, and often conflicts with itself. Research into public discussion, including official guidelines, online content and news reporting, found guidance now covers when and how screens are used, not just age and time.
• Parents are also told to focus on the benefits of screen use, such as watching and talking with their child. The researcher says this can add stress, guilt and confusion, and does not reflect families' different circumstances.
• Instead, parents are encouraged to focus on what works for their own child.