Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 3 hrs ago
Clinicians urge England to reduce screen use in schools
More than 150 clinicians urged England to reduce screen use in schools, warning it could harm children’s physical and developmental health.
They say nearly one million children use screens in most lessons, while short-sightedness among children and teenagers has increased worldwide.
The clinicians cite an analysis of 276 studies involving 5.4 million people, which found short-sightedness rose from about 24% in 1990 to almost 36% in 2023.
They say the evidence points to possible risks, including eye problems, but acknowledge that research is still emerging.
The government is developing screen-time guidance for ages five to 18 and plans to consult on the safety of artificial intelligence and educational technology in schools.
Officials say technology can support learning when used well, and England’s school smartphone ban came into force in June.
More than 150 clinicians have urged England’s education and health secretaries to reduce screen use in schools, warning it could harm children’s physical and developmental health.
They say tablets and laptops are being used without a full understanding of their long-term effects, including on eyesight.
The clinicians say nearly one million children use screens in most lessons and point to research showing short-sightedness has increased among children and adolescents.
The government says it is developing screen-time guidance for children aged five to 18 and that technology can support learning when used well.
- Who
- More than 150 clinicians, including GPs and paediatricians, wrote to Education Secretary Lucy Powell and Health Secretary Yvette Cooper.
- What
- They urged the government to reduce screen use in schools, citing potential health effects.
- When
- The BBC article was published on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- England.
- Why
- The clinicians say school screen use could harm children’s physical and developmental health, including their eyesight.
Clinicians urging reduced screen use
UK government
Screen use in schools
Clinicians urging reduced screen use
Clinicians say children are using screens without a full understanding of long-term health effects and urge schools to roll back their use.
UK government
The government says technology can be a powerful learning tool when used well.
A ban on smartphones in schools in England came into force, making individual schools and trusts legally responsible for being phone-free throughout the day.
The BBC reported that more than 150 clinicians had urged the education and health secretaries to reduce screen use in schools.
- Clinicians
- More than 150 signatories to an open letter
- Children using screens
- Nearly one million use screens in most lessons, according to the clinicians
- Short-sightedness
- The clinicians cited an analysis reporting a rise from around 24% in 1990 to almost 36% in 2023
- Research analysis
- 276 studies covering 5.4 million participants worldwide
- Government guidance
- Being developed for children aged five to 18
What people are saying
They also need their sleep, their eyesight, they need rest, they need ability to critically think and appraise.
As a country, we need to wake up to this now, and start rolling back screen use in schools before the damage compounds further.
Used well, technology can be a powerful tool to support learners who need it and free up teachers to deliver the excellent education every child deserves.
Sources
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