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A coalition of over 150 healthcare professionals, including GPs and paediatricians, has raised concerns about the extensive screen time children in England are experiencing during school hours. In an open letter addressed to Education Secretary Lucy Powell and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, the group highlighted the potential negative effects of excessive use of tablets and laptops on children’s physical development and eye health. They emphasized that this technology is often employed without fully understanding its long-term health consequences.
The clinicians pointed out that they are increasingly prescribing glasses, hearing aids, and speech therapy for issues that may be exacerbated by screen use in educational settings. According to their letter, almost one million children are exposed to screens throughout most lessons daily. This is despite mounting evidence linking increased screen time to a rise in short-sightedness among young people. They cited a comprehensive review of 276 studies involving 5.4 million participants globally, which found that myopia rates in children and adolescents have surged from approximately 24% in 1990 to nearly 36% in 2023. This condition, they warned, is linked to a higher risk of serious eye problems later in life.
The letter urged the country to reconsider the current approach to screen use in schools, stressing that many children spend more screen time in class than is recommended within a full day. One of the signatories, Dr Becky Foljambe, a GP and founder of Health Professionals for Safer Screens, spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. She criticized the lack of parental choice regarding the heavy use of digital devices in schools, suggesting that this might hinder children’s overall wellbeing and educational success. Dr Foljambe also dismissed claims that rising myopia could be attributed solely to genetics, calling it a simplistic explanation. She stressed that children need adequate sleep, rest, and opportunities to develop critical thinking, not just screen-based learning.
The letter further highlighted that children with special educational needs are more likely to be taught through screen-based methods, which raises additional concerns. In response, a Department for Education spokesperson confirmed the government is working on new guidelines for screen use among children aged five to 18 and plans to consult on the safety of artificial intelligence and educational technology in schools. They emphasized that, when used appropriately, technology can be a valuable tool to support learners and assist teachers in providing quality education. This development follows a recent policy introduced in June, which bans smartphones in schools across England, making individual schools and trusts responsible for maintaining phone-free environments during the school day
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