The first ‘Screen Time Guide’ has been published by The Royal College of paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). It tells us the time a child can spend in front of their phone could result on a variety of factors. 
The factors include a Child’s development age, whether the child is socialising well with other children of the same age group, physical exercising and sleep. Only once these activities decrease this is evidence of a risk to the health of a child, but their devices are not harmful itself.

The children these days find entertainment and information on screens. Time spent on phones, laptops and televisions is a major part of modern life and can even be used to educate children. 

Some questions still come to mind, such as:
•    Are you getting enough sleep and exercise as you should be?
•    Do you use your phone or laptop for a longer period than you should?

The RCPCH ran tests to find if screen time is harmful or not. Research is getting harder and harder as children’s ‘use of screens is evolving rapidly’. The test they ran was based on several children and their change of physical and mental health as the number of television screen time increased. Children with high amounts of screen time have a ‘less healthy diet’ and ‘are more pronounced indicators of obesity’! Although some with more than 2 hours tend to have depressive symptoms, for others screen time is better for mental health. 

The guide tells us their evidence is too weak to advise a certain level of screen time for child. The RCPCH suggest children and parents should try to find a suitable screen time limit all depending on the factors of whether the child is socializing, getting enough sleep and exercising to the right amount.                                                                                                                           

There is a three step system if families want to reduce their amount of screen time. Make sure everyone understands the boundaries. If your family respects these boundaries they should be rewarded or praised. If these rules are not folowed there must be consequences.                                                                                     

There are also other concerns about specific content of screen use. Thes refer to concerns about exposure to violence in films and the effect of cyber-bullying through social media.