Think about how much childhood has changed in just one generation. For many of us, growing up meant playing outdoors, making friends face to face, reading books and learning through experience. Today, children are growing up in a world of smartphones, social media, online gaming and, increasingly, artificial intelligence.
Data from the Children’s Crime Survey for England and Wales (CCSEW) for the year ending February 2026 shows that among children aged 10 to 15 years, around 4 in 5 (84%) spent three or more hours online a day at the weekend, with a quarter (25%) spending seven or more hours online a day at the weekend. Two-thirds of children aged 10 to 15 years (66%) spent three or more hours online on an ordinary weekday.
Technology undoubtedly offers opportunities for education, creativity and communication. But there are also growing concerns about the impact of excessive screen use on children’s attention, mental health, social skills and wellbeing. Yesterday the government announced stricter guidance for schools in England; Pupils will not be allowed to have their phones on them at all during the school day.
In the latest episode of the Guardians of Data podcast we discuss the role technology is playing in our children’s lives, both at home and in schools, and give some practical advice for helping children navigate an increasingly digital world. We also examine the UK’s government’s proposals to restrict children’s access to social media which were announced earlier this year.
Our guest on this podcast is Dr Alison Burrows who is Professor of Education and Childhood Studies at Middlesex University Dubai. She is a member of the World Health Organization MENA Technology Task Force and the Co-Founder of the Screenwise Child. Alison’s work bridges cutting-edge neuroscience with practical tools to support positive screen use, digital well-being, and authentic human connection.
Listen on your preferred platform via our podcast page, or download the episode directly, and join the conversation about how we can connect data to improve children’s lives while protecting their rights, privacy and trust.
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Previous episodes of the Guardians of Data podcast have featured discussions about AI Agents, information sharing, generative AI and human relationships, data protection risks in employment and the impact of predictive policing on human rights.
