Children under five should spend no more than an hour a day in front of TV or computer screens – and those under two should not view them at all, a study by top doctors warns.
Overuse of smartphones, electronic tablets and laptops damages children’s sleep, fitness and ability to socialise with others, adds the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Its warning on the under-fives halves the organisation’s previous recommended limit.
The new alert was yesterday backed by British doctors. Psychologist and child expert Dr Aric Sigman urged the Government to publish similar guidelines and called the issue a ‘timebomb’.
‘We are reaching a crucial point,’ he added.