Britt Jones, a 29-year-old mother of two, allows her six-year-old and four-year-old children unlimited daily screen time, including iPads, television, and computers, often reaching up to eight hours on weekends. This practice directly contradicts new UK government guidelines issued in March 2026, which recommend that children aged two to five should watch no more than one hour of television per day.
The government guidance followed research indicating that 98% of two-year-olds in the UK watch screens daily. However, Jones, who lives with her husband and children, says she is not concerned about the potential risks and refuses to be 'mum shamed' for her parenting choices.
Unlimited Screen Time Routine
Jones describes her household's typical screen usage: 'Essentially, as soon as they wake up and want to watch something on TV, it goes on. They may want their tablets on as they eat dinner, and then, after being at school without screens for the day, they come home and usually go straight on their tablets, turn the TV on, or go on the computer.' She estimates her children consume about eight times the government-recommended amount of screen time.
'The new screen time guidance doesn't impact my parenting at all,' Jones told Metro. 'You can do your best to follow guidance, but it's always changing. For us, this is what works.' On school days, her children watch around four hours of screens, while weekends can see up to eight hours. They also engage in 'double screening,' simultaneously watching a film and playing on tablets.
Expert Warnings and Research
Multiple studies and experts caution against excessive screen time for young children. A landmark 2026 study conducted by four UK universities, known as the Action on Digital Device Immersive Conditions Team, found that screen time for babies and toddlers carries 'significant risks,' including limited language development, difficulty sleeping, and reduced opportunities to bond with caregivers.
Professor Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at New York University and author of the bestselling book The Anxious Generation, argues that 'phone-based childhood' has caused a sharp rise in youth mental illness. Additionally, a 2019 King's College London study found that nearly 25% of children and young people use their smartphones in a way consistent with a behavioural addiction, including feeling panicky or upset when the phone is unavailable, or finding it difficult to control the amount of time spent on it.
Jones's Perspective on Benefits
Despite these warnings, Jones remains unconcerned. 'I honestly don't think there's any harm in it,' she said. 'A lot of what our children watch teaches them things about life, routines – be it bath time or animals in the zoo – so we feel it benefits them. And, before they go to school in the morning, they watch a video of a character who shows them dance moves, so they have a daily dance party. They also bond with other kids over their shared interests on TV.'
Jones monitors what her children watch, curating content on YouTube Kids, which she describes as 'very well safeguarded against adult content.' The children watch programs such as Ms Rachel's Learn to Talk videos, Bing, Blippi, Talking Hands sign language, Oxbridge Baby makaton, and Mr Tumble. They also play educational games like Numberlocks, Alphablocks, animal games, puzzles, and spelling activities. 'If we hear anything that sounds odd, we do turn it off,' she said.
Social Acceptance and Practical Reasons
Jones says that friends and family are generally supportive of her approach. 'Because our children are very high-energy and spend a lot of time doing physical activities, like sports and playing, friends and family do understand that they need stimulation other forms too,' she explained. 'My husband and I were raised as TV kids, and spent a lot of our childhoods watching TV shows and films. Our friends were raised in the same way, so I think it's understood to be the way some people approach their life.'
She also notes that screens provide a practical way to keep her children entertained while she and her husband work. 'This is especially true when they have such a long time off over the summer. We both work so we can't teach them 1:1 as a teacher could in a classroom. This is a pretty good alternative.' Jones adds that her children even take their tablets outside to aid their play, for example, watching play doh videos while playing with play doh.
As the new school term approaches, Jones has no plans to reduce screen time. 'At school they spend all day doing physical activities, mental maths and socialisation, so it's only natural they want to come home, isolate themselves in their rooms for some time, and watch something that is tailored to their interests. I think kids need downtime, and I'm fine with that being on a screen.'
