Screen time – July/August 2025
Introduction
During July and August 2025 we asked children and young people about screentime.
It followed a BBC article on the UK Government considering limiting the amount of time children and young people can spend on social media.
The survey was part of an ongoing series of topical questions we ask children and young people monthly to hear their views on a variety of issues, called Monthly Matters. It was shared directly with all schools signed up to our children’s rights schemes for primary and secondary schools, as well as community groups.
As part of the survey pack, children and young people were shown a video introducing the topic. Schools and groups had two options for completing the survey; children and young people could either do it independently, or a teacher or group leader could complete the survey on behalf of the group by answering a different set of questions to give an overview of the discussion.
391 children and young people answered the survey individually. A further 121 children took part in groups, with teachers and youth workers submitting a summary of their views. A broad range of ages took part, from children the age of 7 up to 18-year-olds. We received responses from 17 local authority areas.
Questions were developed by the Commissioner’s experienced staff team based on themes that had emerged from previous engagement exercises with children, young people, and professionals.
Questions for children and young people
Do you use a device at home?
Yes – I have my own device – (354) 92%
Yes – I share one with someone else (20) – 5%
Yes – I borrow/ use my parents’ (8) – 2%
No – (3) 1%
Do you have any rules about screen time at home? We’d like to hear about rules you have agreed with your parents or guardians?
Yes (204) – 53%
No (136) – 35%
I don’t want to say (45) – 12%
(if yes) What rules do you have?
I’m not allowed it at meal times (107) – 54%
I’m only allowed on certain apps (94) – 47%
I have to turn it off at a certain time (87) – 44%
I am only allowed it for a certain amount of time (69) – 35%
I have to leave it downstairs at bedtime (60) – 30%
Other rules (42) – 21%
I’m not allowed to use it in my bedroom (24) – 12%
I can only use a device on weekends (12) – 6%
How long are you allowed to use it for?
0-2 hours: (71) – 33%
3-4 hours: (66) – 31%
5-6 hours (32) – 15%
7 hours + (44) – 21%
Have you made your own rules about screen time? We’d like to hear about rules you’ve decided to make yourself?
No (182) – 48%
Yes (142) – 37%
I don’t know (56) – 15%
(if yes) What rules have you made?
I limit the amount of time I use my device (64)
I don’t take my device to school (63)
I don’t use my device at mealtimes (62)
I don’t use my device when I’m with friends and family (52)
I don’t have my device in my bedroom (17)
Other (11)
I only use my device when I’m out of the house (8)
Do you use TikTok? (asked only to secondary-aged children)
Yes (101) – 77%
No (30) – 23%
TikTok have an automatic 1-hour limit on the app if you are under 18. Have you got this on or off?
Off – I can use it for as long as I want (67) – 68%
I don’t know (24) – 24%
On – I can only use it for an hour (7) – 7%
Do you think it is a good idea for government to put a limit on how much time children and young people can spend on social media apps?
No (163) – 42%
Yes (117) – 30%
I don’t know (104) – 27%
Do you think it’s a good idea for the government to put a curfew of 10pm on social media for children and young people?
No (152) – 40%
I don’t know (116) – 31%
Yes (108) – 29%