Health professionals have launched a powerful new campaign to protect children from the dangers of screen overuse, marked by the premiere of the documentary ‘Our Kids, Their Screens, The Evidence’ at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution.

Created by Health Professionals for Safer Screens and campaign group Teched Off, the film presents alarming evidence from leading clinicians and researchers on the impact of excessive screen time, smartphone use, and social media on young people.

Harms highlighted include anxiety, addiction, sleep disruption, obesity, speech and language delays, and mental health problems.

The campaign calls for a national public health initiative, legislation to restrict internet-enabled smartphones and social media for under-16s, and training for health workers to assess screen use.

“This film highlights some of the serious harms that clinicians are observing in their daily practice, and academics are concluding in their research, around children’s screen use. These negative impacts on whole-child health are now very significant,” said Dr Becky Foljambe, NHS GP and Founder of Health Professionals for Safer Screens.

“It is evidence of safety that we lack, not evidence of harms, and it is now imperative we exercise the precautionary principle and launch an NHS public health campaign to educate and support parents and engage professional colleagues. This film is also an urgent call for a change in legislation to protect our children.”

Miranda Wilson, founder of Teched Off,emphasised: “We strongly believe enough is enough. Backed by professionals across the medical field, this campaign is about taking real action. We urge the public to join us—write to your MP, speak up, and help protect our children’s futures.”

“When asked if there are any benefits from educational apps Dr Federico Campos, Deputy Medical Director / Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist at Giaroli Centre for Neurodevelopmental Psychiatry said.

“There is no such thing as an educational app. The truth is educational apps don’t work. Children learn something, but they mainly learn instant reward. This is a dangerous pattern, especially when you see the impact on ADHD symptoms.”

Ellen Roome, bereaved mother, and now a campaigner for Jools’ Law message to parents is clear: “Delay, Delay, Delay your child having a smartphone. I didn’t know anything about the harmful things children are exposed to on phones, until after Jools’ death. It is shocking to know what I know now.”