Nearly three-quarters of nine-month-old babies are exposed to screens daily, a new study has revealed, prompting calls for government guidance on digital device use for under-fives.
The research, conducted by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), found that 72 per cent of infants at this age engage in some form of screen time each day.
The likelihood of daily screen exposure rises to 80 per cent for only children.
The study also highlighted disparities in usage based on household structure, with infants in single-parent homes averaging 47 minutes of screen time daily, compared to 39 minutes for those with two parents.
The overall average reported screen time for infants in the study was 41 minutes per day.
A small but significant minority, two per cent, exceed three hours of screen time daily. These infants were found to be considerably less likely to regularly participate in activities such as outdoor trips, being read to, or singing.
Drawing on data from over 8,000 families involved in the Children of the 2020s cohort study, the analysis identified a correlation between family income and the amount of screen time. However, no clear pattern emerged regarding family income and whether babies watch screens at all.
The study also explored the impact of screen time on other developmental activities.
The likelihood of parents looking at books with their infants daily remained consistent for babies with no screen time, up to an hour, or up to two hours. This engagement only decreased when daily screen time surpassed two hours.
Similarly, 80 per cent of babies with no daily screen time went on outdoor trips every day, a figure that dropped to 76 per cent for those watching up to two hours, and further to 60 per cent for babies with over three hours of daily screen time.
Dr Tammy Campbell, director for early years, inequalities and wellbeing at EPI, suggested the findings indicate that screen time and a healthy, active childhood are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
"Therefore a large part of the conversation needs to shift from ‘how much’ to ‘what’, and ‘why’," she explained.
"It’s about how and when a screen is being used for shared, interactive play, or for passive viewing."
Dr Campbell added that guidance should help families use digital tools to enhance development, bonding, and enjoyment of babyhood, rather than simply "demonising any use".
The government is expected to publish its guidance on screen time for under-fives in April.
Previous research cited by the government indicates that around 98 per cent of children are watching screens daily by the age of two, with parents and teachers noting difficulties in concentration when these children start school.
Further studies have linked high screen time, around five hours a day, to significantly fewer words spoken by children compared to those with around 44 minutes of daily screen exposure.
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