UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to ban children under 16 from using social media apps such as TikTok and Snapchat, aiming to protect them from harmful content and excessive screen time. The ban, expected early next year, aligns the UK with a global trend of increasing online child safety measures.
Victorian secondary schools will limit classroom device use to two hours per day from 2027, a national-first plan aiming to reduce screen time and encourage traditional learning methods. Primary school students will also face new screen time limits.
Brain fog, characterized by difficulty focusing, memory issues, and mental fatigue, is increasingly prevalent across age groups. Experts cite chronic stress, sleep deprivation, excessive screen time, sedentary lifestyles, and underlying medical conditions as key contributors. Lifestyle changes like sufficient sleep, exercise, stress management, and reduced screen exposure can help improve cognitive clarity.
A new UK lab, Nerve Lab, is using AI and brain imaging to study how children consume media, aiming to develop tools for better content classification and personalized learning. Researchers are analyzing animated shows for features like pacing and color, and using fNIRS to understand children's math comprehension difficulties.
Online gaming's increasing dominance in teen life is causing friction at home, impacting studies, sleep, and relationships. Recent tragic incidents in India highlight the severe consequences of unchecked screen dependence and emotional distress, prompting calls for better understanding and intervention.
Line dancing has become a surprise hit in South Australia, with thousands attending organised events across the state, driven by a desire for community and social connection post-COVID-19, and fueled by TikTok trends and crossover country-pop music.
At WWDC 2026, Apple introduced enhanced parental control features for iOS 27 that allow parents to manage who children can contact, which apps and websites they can access, block inappropriate content, and receive age-based screen time recommendations developed with pediatric experts.
A study in the World Journal of Pediatrics found that early and prolonged exposure to screens is associated with lower academic performance, particularly in reading, by ages 9-10. The research followed nearly 500 children in Singapore, noting that the period between 1 and 2 years old appears to be a particularly sensitive window.
Experts offer strategies to combat smartphone addiction, including tracking usage, scheduling screen-free time, changing lockscreens, cutting notifications, and making screens less engaging. Solutions range from software tools to physical deterrents and switching to feature phones.
The FCC is reviewing its $3 billion E-Rate program for schools and libraries due to concerns about excessive children's screen time. A vote on potential reforms or termination is scheduled for June 25, following a Surgeon General's advisory on the harms of screen use.
The FCC is reviewing its $3 billion E-Rate program for schools and libraries due to concerns about excessive children's screen time. A new proposal is expected soon, with potential reforms or termination of the program.
The UK government plans to introduce social media restrictions for under-16s by the end of the year, with options including a potential ban being considered. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed action will be taken following a public consultation.
A US Surgeon General's advisory warns that excessive screen time for children and adolescents, including constant social media use, texting, and video games, poses a public health concern. The report links screen use to poor sleep, academic decline, and reduced physical activity, offering guidance for families, schools, and tech companies to mitigate risks.
UK adults spend ~7.5 hours daily on screens. Experts argue screen time isn't inherently bad, but how it's used. Active engagement like learning, gaming, creating, or connecting offers benefits, unlike passive scrolling.
Prolonged screen time poses significant risks for individuals with diabetes, contributing to sedentary lifestyles, disrupted sleep, and mindless eating. Experts recommend movement breaks, limiting screen use before bed, and the 10-10-10 rule to manage blood sugar and prevent complications.
Experts advise parents to consider a child's maturity, not just age, before giving them a first phone. Starting with basic devices and gradually introducing smartphones with monitoring tools is recommended. Open communication about online safety and responsible usage is crucial. Parents should also model healthy screen time habits. This approach helps children navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Los Angeles Unified School District voted unanimously to limit screen time for all grade levels this fall, particularly eliminating it for elementary students. The nation's second-largest school district's decision aligns with recent legislation in Alabama, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia, while more than 10 states consider similar restrictions. Parents and researchers cite concerns about technology's impact on thinking, communication and student data privacy.
Los Angeles education board has voted to become the first major US school system to restrict classroom screen time, implementing grade-based policies and banning devices for first-grade and younger students. The resolution, expected to implement next school year, also bans YouTube and video-streaming on school devices while allowing parental opt-outs. The district serves about 500,000 students and previously passed a 2024 measure banning mobile phones and social media in classrooms.
Executives from Meta, Roblox and TikTok denied their platforms are inherently addictive to children during a Westminster hearing, arguing there is no evidence platforms are 'addictive by nature'. The appearance followed a Los Angeles court case last month where Meta and YouTube were found liable for designing addictive products. The committee chair warned Snapchat, which cancelled, that they would be summoned. The UK government is consulting on whether to ban under-16s from social media, following Australia's example.
UK employment growth slowed significantly with only 24,000 jobs added in the three months to February, below population growth. Payrolls contracted in February and fell by 11,000 in March, while vacancies continued to decline. Economists now forecast unemployment will rise to around 5.5% this year, potentially reaching 6% if energy prices spike further. The weak labour market, combined with the Middle East conflict driving up energy costs and business uncertainty, has complicated the Bank of England's interest rate decisions.
