Published • loading... • Updated
Cut screen time in classrooms to avoid long-term health issues, clinicians urge
The clinicians said nearly 1 million children use screens in most lessons, citing research linking classroom screen use to rising short-sightedness.
- More than 150 clinicians signed an open letter to Education Secretary Lucy Powell and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, urging ministers to confront a "crisis" in children's physical and developmental health linked to screen-based learning.
- The letter warns that EdTech devices used by millions of pupils face no child-focused health scrutiny before schools purchase them, unlike other products given to children. Clinicians called for an independent review before further public spending.
- Data from 276 studies covering 5.4 million participants worldwide found short-sightedness among children rose from around 24% in 1990 to almost 36% by 2023. Becky Foljambe of Health Professionals for Safer Screens said the trend "cannot be put down to genetics alone."
- The Department for Education is developing new screen-time guidance for children aged five to 18 and will consult on artificial intelligence and educational technology safety in schools. Officials said "used well, technology can be a powerful tool to support learners."
- Children with special educational needs and disabilities are "disproportionately" steered towards screen-based learning at the point they most need close adult supervision. A three-year-old spending three hours daily on screens misses an estimated 194 conversational turns and 1,139 adult words.
Insights by Ground AI
4 Articles
4 Articles
The IndependentReposted by 
The Independent (US)
The Independent (US)Screens at schools fuelling child health 'crisis', doctors warn
About one million children now spend nearly every lesson on screens
·London, United Kingdom
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources4
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left, 50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 50%
C 50%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
