Screen Time Under the Microscope: What UK Health Leaders Are Doing About Kids and Devices

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is working with UK medical leaders to systematically document how screens and digital devices are harming children's physical and mental health. Following a roundtable where clinicians shared disturbing cases they've treated across the National Health Service (NHS), the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges announced plans to gather evidence in a structured way about technology's impact on young people.

What Prompted This Medical Investigation?

The investigation began after healthcare professionals provided personal testimony about "horrific cases" they've encountered in primary care, hospitals, and community health settings throughout the NHS. These cases span most medical specialties, suggesting screen-related health problems are affecting children in multiple ways across different areas of medicine.

The RCPCH, along with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, wrote to key government officials on January 15th, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Science Secretary Liz Kendall, highlighting their concerns about the scope of screen-related health issues in children.

What's Coming Next for Screen Time Guidelines?

The Department for Education recently announced that England will issue its first official guidance on screen use for children under five years old in April 2026. This guidance follows a comprehensive review led by Professor Russell Viner, a former RCPCH President, and Dame Rachel D'Souza, who serves as Children's Commissioner for England.

The upcoming guidance represents a significant shift toward formal government recommendations about early childhood screen exposure. Currently, many parents navigate screen time decisions without official government direction, relying instead on pediatric organizations' suggestions or personal judgment.

To support this effort, the RCPCH has created a dedicated webpage bringing together key resources to help healthcare providers discuss screen time with families and guide clinical practice across the United Kingdom. The college plans to continue monitoring developments and advocating for children's health as screen time policies evolve.

How Are Medical Professionals Organizing This Response?

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges is developing a systematic approach to document screen-related health impacts through multiple evidence-gathering sessions. This structured method aims to move beyond individual case reports to comprehensive data collection about how technology affects children's wellbeing.

The RCPCH's response includes several coordinated efforts:

• Advocacy Coordination: Working actively with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to ensure protecting children from online harms remains a priority for the UK Government and devolved administrations
• Resource Development: Publishing comprehensive web resources to help healthcare providers have informed conversations with families about screen time
• Clinical Practice Support: Providing guidance materials to help medical professionals across the UK address screen-related health concerns in their practice

The medical community's organized response reflects growing concern about screen time's impact on pediatric health. Healthcare providers are increasingly seeing patients with issues potentially linked to excessive device use, prompting this coordinated effort to gather evidence and develop formal guidance for families and clinicians.

This initiative represents one of the most comprehensive efforts by UK medical authorities to address screen time concerns systematically, moving from individual clinical observations to organized data collection and policy development. The April 2026 guidance for under-fives will mark the first time the UK government provides official recommendations about early childhood screen exposure.