The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge Infants and Digital Screens -- A Shocking Report
May 6, 2026
A shocking study finds some infants spending up to eight hours a day on screens. Experts warn about potential developmental harm and call for clearer guidance. Discussion covers tech companies' responsibility and how content ratings might change. Other segments touch on AI-driven fear tactics, future in-car surveillance, and surprising research on sleep and dementia risk.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Infant Screen Use Far Exceeds Guidance
- More than two-thirds of children under two use screens, with some infants exposed up to eight hours daily despite guidance to avoid screen time for under-twos.
- The UK study links early screen use to obesity, myopia, sleep problems, behavioral issues, language delay, and later social difficulties based on thousands of reviewed studies.
Parents Recognize Problem But Lack Guidance
- Parents are worried: almost two-thirds fret about their own screen use and over half see their baby's screen time as problematic.
- Yet 85% reported receiving no screen-time advice from health workers, midwives, GPs, or teachers.
Call For Tech Companies To Change Content Ratings
- Advocate for systemic solutions: the foundation's CEO urges tech companies to revisit content ratings labelled 'zero plus' and take responsibility for baby-directed exposure.
- Parents often use screens as a coping tool—calling it a 'survival skill'—so industry-level fixes reduce parental burden.