ITV Interview on Children’s Social Media and Technology Use

Today, ITV's Lake District & South Cumbria Reporter, Fiona Paterson, visited the Infant & Child Development Lab (formerly known as the BabyLab) at Lancaster University for an interview with Professor Padraic Monaghan. The interview focused on a new bill that has just passed its first reading in Parliament, aimed at restricting children’s access to addictive content on social media and introducing age limits on children’s online activities. You can read more about the bill here.

The discussion explored the potential harms and benefits of social media and technology on children's development. Professor Monaghan shared insights from LuCiD’s research on how apps could support early language development, highlighting the importance of balancing digital content with real-world interactions. He emphasised that while some technology can enhance children’s educational and social development, the best approach is for caregivers to sit alongside children when using apps, guiding them through the content and fostering interactive learning.

"Children's use of smartphones is increasing year on year, and though there are huge potential benefits to this technology, we also need to understand the risks. There is a need to provide caregivers with the tools they need to support and protect children, and to ensure children aren't exposed to addictive content."

A sneak peek of this fascinating discussion will be aired soon, and we will keep you posted on when it’s broadcasted. At LuCiD and with our partners, we continue to explore how technology can be used effectively to support children’s development, with a strong focus on ensuring that digital experiences are both enriching and beneficial.