BBC Radio 4 host, Nick Robinson, has been accused of sexism during an interview on the Today show this morning.
To discuss advice issued on 7 February from Chief Medical Officers in the UK that parents should ban phones from their children’s bedrooms at night and at the dinner table, BBC Radio 4 brought in one of the review’s key advisors, Professor Dame Sally Davies.
The pair conversed about the guidelines in depth, with Robinson pointing out Davies's view that strict time limits on screentime “isn’t terribly helpful”.
“We know that it is not good for any age but particularly young people and children to watch a screen or be sedentary for longer than two hours at a time,” said Davies, Chief Medical Officer for England.
“We advise that people get up and move”.
The radio presenter responded by listing the advice provided by the review, adding: “Yeah get up and move, and then what we’re hearing in the news bulletins which is, don’t use your phones at meal times, talk to each other, look at each other in the eye, don’t take the phone to bed."
Robinson continued by probing Davies about why she states “things that are obvious”.
“You always have this question so I know you're familiar with it, but this balance you have to get between nannying on the one hand, or being accused of it at least, and on the other hand, sort of banality, stating things that are obvious”, he said.
To which Davies replied: “I thought you were going to be sexist”.
After the presenter asked which bit of what he said was sexist, Davies added: “I wonder whether you would say that to a male chief medical officer ...”
She was quickly interrupted by Robinson who stated: “No, I said you are often accused of being a nanny, I didn’t say I accused you of being a nanny. You are often said are you not?"
Davies simply responded by saying: “Clever”.
The Chief Medical Officer then spoke over the presenter, defending the official advice regarding the healthy use of technology for children.
“We have to give advise to families, we’ve been asked to and actually we’re hearing quite a lot from families and young people that they’d like advise,” she explained.
“It’s quite clear based on the evidence for development that children need their sleep, so don’t take the smart device to bed, that they need to interact with their families so at meal times is a really good time.”
Davies' quick reaction was picked up by a number of people on social media who praised her for calling out the presenter for his sexist remarks.
"Well done to chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies for picking up Nick Robinson for being #sexist" one person wrote.
Another added: "Love that Dame Sally Davies just called out @BBCr4today for sexism."
The accusations come just months after Davies referred to herself as "chief nanny".
While calling for drastic measures to combat Britain’s obesity crisis, insisting it was time to get “tough” on the food industry, the top doctor said: "We have to shape it so it’s easy to take the healthy choice. Do you want to call that nanny state? If so I’m chief nanny."
The review, which was published today, recommends a “precautionary approach” to children’s screen use, but said there was insufficient evidence to recommend a set an optimum limit.
In a statement, Davies said: “Time spent online can be of great benefit to children and young people, providing opportunities for learning and skills development, as well as allowing young people to find support and information.
“But we need to take a precautionary approach and our advice will support children to reap these benefits and protect them from harm."
