Don't let your youngsters binge on social media in the school holidays says children's commissioner

  • Anne Longfield said children should not use devices without boundaries
  • She said parents should be proactive in stopping their children from bingeing
  • Digital 5 a Day is based on the NHS's five steps to better mental wellbeing

By Harvey Day For Mailonline

Published: 11:56 EST, 6 August 2017 | Updated: 13:20 EST, 6 August 2017

Parents should not allow their children to binge on social media in the school holidays, the Children's Commissioner for England has warned.

Anne Longfield said children should not be left to use their devices without 'agreed boundaries' as she launched a guide to promote a positive relationship with technology.

It is hoped the campaign, Digital 5 a Day, will help with what Ms Longfield describes as 'one of the modern parenting world's newest and biggest dilemmas'.

Parents should not allow their children to binge on social media in the school holidays, the Children's Commissioner for England has warned (Stock image)

Parents should not allow their children to binge on social media in the school holidays, the Children's Commissioner for England has warned (Stock image)

In an interview with the Observer, she said that parents should be proactive in stopping their children from bingeing on the internet during the holidays.

'It's something that every parent will talk about especially during school holidays – that children are in danger of seeing social media like sweeties, and their online time like junk food,' she said. 

In a blog post on her website, she added: 'You wouldn't let an eight-year-old eat a double cheeseburger and fries every day of the year, so it's important children aren't left to use smart phones, computers or tablets without agreed boundaries.

'It doesn't have to be about restriction and control - which is unlikely to win over any child anyway - but something children will often love: working out together a good way to be online.'

Anne Longfield (pictured) said children should not be left to use their devices without 'agreed boundaries' as she launched a guide to promote a positive relationship with technology 

Anne Longfield (pictured) said children should not be left to use their devices without 'agreed boundaries' as she launched a guide to promote a positive relationship with technology 

She points out the amount of time children are online is increasing, and says that very young children are routinely spending more than eight hours a week online, while 12-15-year-olds are spending more than 20 hours a week online.

The campaign suggests keeping a note of how much time is being spent online, with Ms Longfield's post saying: 'We hear that children often feel pressured by the constantly connected nature of the internet.

'While they might want to do other things, it can be difficult for them to put their phones down when apps are encouraging them to engage.

'Being mindful about the amount of time that your child is spending online - and encouraging them to be mindful about how this makes them feel - is important.

'Encourage children to come up with ways of managing this i.e. keeping a diary as way of logging the amount of time they are spending online or downloading an app that helps them manage their notifications.'

The Digital 5 a Day campaign is based on the NHS's five steps to better mental wellbeing.

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