0–4 years
Guidance for keeping babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers safe in the digital world and beyond.
Children under five are naturally curious and learn through observation and imitation. At this stage, digital safety is almost entirely in the hands of parents and carers. The focus should be on limiting screen exposure, choosing high-quality content, and establishing healthy routines that will serve as a foundation for years to come.
What's typical at this age
- • Rapidly developing language and motor skills; screens should not replace hands-on play and face-to-face interaction.
- • Unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy — advertising, pop-ups, and unexpected content can be genuinely frightening.
- • Learning by imitation; children will mirror how parents and carers use their own devices.
- • Sleep patterns are easily disrupted by screen light and stimulating content, particularly before bedtime.
Key risks at this age
Conversation tips
Introducing screens
Try saying: "Let's watch this together — I'll sit with you and we can talk about what we see."
Avoid: Avoid using screens as a default soothing tool or giving unsupervised access to YouTube or app stores.
Body safety basics
Try saying: "Your body belongs to you. No one should touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, and you can always tell me."
Avoid: Avoid forcing children to give hugs or kisses to relatives when they clearly don't want to — this undermines bodily autonomy lessons.
Setting screen limits
Try saying: "We're going to watch one episode and then it's time for something else. Shall we play outside or do some drawing?"
Avoid: Avoid abruptly snatching devices away without warning, which creates distress rather than healthy habits.
Recommended boundaries
No screens for under 2s; a maximum of one hour per day for ages 2–4, always co-viewed.
Young brains need real-world sensory experiences. Excessive screen time is linked to delayed speech and poor sleep.
Only pre-approved, age-appropriate apps and programmes; no unsupervised YouTube or web browsing.
Autoplay algorithms can surface inappropriate content within just a few clicks, even from child-friendly starting points.
All devices used by children must have a child profile with parental controls enabled.
Children at this age can accidentally access purchases, adult content, or contact strangers if devices are left unrestricted.
Warning signs to watch for
Becoming distressed, aggressive, or inconsolable when screens are turned off.
Gradually reduce screen time and introduce transition warnings (e.g. 'five more minutes'). Increase alternative activities.
Sleep difficulties that coincide with increased screen use.
Enforce a screen-free period of at least one hour before bedtime and remove devices from the bedroom.
Repeating phrases, behaviours, or themes from content that seems too mature.
Review what content they have been watching, tighten controls, and talk to them calmly about what they saw.
Key statistics
- 17% of 3–4 year olds in the UK have their own tablet device. — Ofcom Children and Parents Media Use and Attitudes Report 2024
- Children under 5 who exceed two hours of daily screen time are five times more likely to exhibit clinically significant behavioural problems. — Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2024