What We Know About Tech in the Early Years

In the first five years of life, children experience the most rapid brain development they will ever go through. Neural pathways are built through movement, play, touch, connection, and real-world experiences. These early interactions shape everything—from emotional resilience and language development to attention span and social skills.

And yet, in today’s world, screen time has crept into those precious years more than ever before.

📱 What the research shows

While tech is part of modern life, increasing evidence points to the fact that too much, too early, can come at a cost:

• Speech and language delays are rising. UK-based health visitors and speech therapists report a noticeable increase in under-5s with limited vocabulary, delayed communication, and reduced social interaction—often linked to high screen exposure and fewer real-life conversations.

• Reduced attention spans are becoming more common. Children accustomed to fast-moving, overstimulating digital content may struggle with focus, patience, and sustained play.

• Emotional regulation is affected. Tech can't replicate the human connection needed for learning how to manage emotions. Toddlers need consistent co-regulation—not a digital distraction.

• Sleep disruption is increasingly seen in toddlers and preschoolers. Exposure to blue light in the evening can delay melatonin release and interrupt sleep patterns.

  
  

🌱 So what do young children actually need?

The answer is simple—but powerful.

• Eye contact and connection. Children learn to feel safe and understood through your facial expressions, your voice, your touch.

• Unstructured play. Imaginative play with real-world materials builds curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

• Movement. Running, climbing, jumping, balancing—these aren't just fun, they’re vital for brain and body development.

• Boredom. Yes, boredom. Because from boredom comes creativity, self-direction, and resilience.

  
  

🧠 But what about educational apps and shows?

It’s tempting to believe that "a bit of CBeebies" or an "interactive learning app" is harmless—or even helpful. And yes, tech can be a tool. But in the early years, it should never replace real human interaction or be used as a babysitter. Most so-called “educational” content for under-5s still encourages passive consumption, not active learning.

💛 Our belief at Unplugged Early Years

We’re not anti-tech. We’re pro-childhood.We believe the first five years should be rooted in presence, not pressure. Children need faces, not filters. Connection, not content. Real life—not algorithms.

Unplugged Early Years exists to raise awareness, offer calm alternatives, and support families and early years settings in protecting this crucial window of development.

✨ What can you do?

• Create screen-free routines around meals, bedtime, and playtime.

• Model healthy boundaries with your own device use.

• Replace passive content with real-world activities, even if it’s just a walk, a story, or a song.

• Join our movement by taking the Unplugged Early Years Parent Pledge.

  
  

We don’t need perfection. We just need presence.

The Unplugged Early Years Community