Understanding the Risks of Screen Use for Primary-Age Children
Screens are everywhere in modern life—from TVs and tablets to smartphones and gaming consoles—and they offer children exciting ways to learn, play, and connect. But too much screen time can impact a child’s sleep, concentration, and ability to build healthy relationships. It can also mean missing out on enriching experiences like outdoor play, creative activities, and quiet moments that support emotional wellbeing.
At Coram SCARF, we’re passionate about helping children lead safe, healthy, and balanced lives. That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted experts to provide clear, practical guidance on managing screen use. From understanding the risks of inappropriate content to recognising signs of digital overload, these pages offer essential insights to help you support your child’s wellbeing—online and offline.
Take a look at the resources we’ve complied here. Together, we can empower children to make positive choices and grow up happy, resilient, and equipped for life in the modern world.
What are the main risks?
We’ve collaborated with organisations that are working hard to keep children safe online and help parents to understand some of the hidden or less well understood risks of spending a lot of time on screens. Find out more about the risks from some of them.
What do the experts say?
Coram SCARF is working with Newcastle University to research the impact of screentime on younger children – something that’s not had much attention in the past. As part of this research, we filmed some leading experts – people dedicated to making the internet a safer place for children and to promoting balanced, healthy lifestyles. Here’s what they told us…