00:00When there's a lot going on, when children are having a tantrum,
00:03trying to find something to distract them is an obvious thing.
00:07And I don't think parents and carers have had any guidance at all yet
00:11about what would be appropriate, what might be best.
00:16This isn't about telling people what to do.
00:18It's about giving some help and guidance.
00:20So we've produced guidance today. It's the first time this has happened.
00:23I've been really interested in the reaction when we come for a chat around the tables.
00:28And some of this will require a fight if we're going to do more to protect children.
00:33We're going to have to fight some of the platforms that are putting the material up there
00:36because they're putting this addictive stuff up there for a reason.
00:39They want more children, spend more time online.
00:42And we've got to fight them and be clear whose side we're on here.
00:45You may remember a few weeks ago, Grok on social media had these disgusting images.
00:51And the government went into a battle with them, a deliberate battle with them,
00:55which we won on behalf of those people who are subject to those disgusting images.
01:00We need the same mindset here because when the question of social media and children is discussed,
01:06we need to be clear we're on the side of parents and carers here.
01:09I think certainly as a parent myself, and I think probably speak for all the parents and carers here,
01:15it's something we all worry about.
01:17Are we letting our children spend too much time on social media?
01:19Is it the appropriate content? Should they not have it at this time or that time?
01:24And most of the time, I think parents have been searching without any help from the government
01:28as to what would be appropriate.
01:30So today we put that guidelines in place and that's what we're recommending.
01:35The government has now issued guidance that advises parents of younger children
01:39to limit screen time for two to five-year-olds to an hour a day and less if possible.
01:46While for children under two, screen time should be avoided
01:49unless for shared activities that encourage children to interact with each other.
01:54The government is also currently consulting on how to protect children under the age of 16 online,
02:01which could include an Australia-style social media ban or measures like time limits and curfews.
02:08The new guidance on screen time for the youngest children advises families
02:12to avoid fast-paced social media-style videos and toys or tools that use AI
02:18and keep bedtimes and mealtimes screen-free.
02:23The guidance was developed by a panel led by Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel D'Souza
02:27and children's health expert Professor Russell Viner.
02:31Professor Viner, a paediatrician and professor at University College London,
02:37said he would like Next to see the government issue more specific advice to parents
02:42on what is actually good content for their children to see.
02:46According to the government, around 98% of children are watching screens on a daily basis
02:53by the age of two, and those with the highest screen time see an impact on their language.
02:59We'll see you next time.
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