1. This Early Years (EY) Phase (Birth to 5) is now reported IWF statistics for “self generated” child sexual abuse images, Ofcom report HIGH % smart phone ownership, YouTube TikTok, short reel content the norm. Headteacher Network cite EY as a phase where there is Key Concern https://lnkd.in/e4V4vwDk
2. Adults caring for EY often heavily engaged social media (Inc. hashtags trending sometimes when the child is upset Terribe2s, GentleParenting, PottyTraining)
3.Currently there is No ref to Online Safety or Computing in EY Statutory framework
**Hotchpotch Practice EY settings – Youtube used extensively by adults for Songs/rhythms to No digital at all inc. Computational Thinking
The Digital standards for Early Years Action Group wrote to the Minister for EY with a Call for Action letter early Sept 2024 and Nursery World featured this action.
*The EY Minister Stephen Morgan MP Team dismissed this call for Online Safety in EY Statutory Framework updates 2025. Computing was also removed from the framework in recent years.
*The statutory framework is a Key Standard for staff, children families + potential influence society norms + safety standard
Related Research + Articles
A. Nursery World NEW 2025 article Q. Need for Regulation YOUTUBE in Nurseries
https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/features/youtube-friend-or-foe
2023 https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/content/features/why-the-online-safety-bill-must-include-risks-to-youngest-children/
B. Kindred Squared NEW report on deteriorating school readiness reception pupils. Children’s use of electronic devices stands out as a major factor. https://kindredsquared.org.uk/school-readiness-survey/
Supporting article with reference to Dutch + Australian research
C. The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales New The Shaping Us Framework. On social and emotional skills in early childhood and vital consideration of technology (Technoference) https://royalfoundation.com/the-princess-of-wales-launches-shaping-us-campaign/
D. TeachingTimes.com NEW article Digital Media: A Great Educational Resource Or ‘Crack For Babies’? https://www.teachingtimes.com/digital-media-a-great-educational-resource-or-crack-for-babies/
E. Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development NEW Report from US inc.the youngest children (aged up to 3) least likely to transfer learning from 2D formats like digital media into the real world https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-69362-5
F. Tim Smith, Prof Cognitive Data Science UAL Creative Computing Institute
G. Research Exploitation of child influencers by Francis Rees Famous at five: risk assessing digital child labour
H. Dr J Harding advising the UK government, practitioners and parents, essential digital criteria and establishing best practice https://www.drjacquelineharding.com/
Standards for Professionals – Emerging Examples of Best Practice
1.EYFS Online Safety Policy Framework LGfL & deconstruction “screentime, research Dr Fiona Aubrey-Smith https://lgfl.net/safeguarding/online-safety-in-the-early-years
2..Australia has statutory online safety & Digital standards for EY inc. strategy https://youngchildrendigitalsociety.com.au/
Susan Edwards has spearheaded this strategy + meeting the action group
3. New book Embracing Technology in the Early Years https://www.fionajoines.co.uk/embracing-technology-in-the-early-years-a-practitioners-guide-by-fiona-joines/
Fiona Joines MA
Children and Settings
Videos This video is nice for children (shared by Islington Early years team)
And this from Australia Early Years and good for parents and children
Learning Experiences https://islingtoncomputing.co.uk/eyfs-curriculum/
CBBC, Wonderful new Computational Thinking resource from BBC, WonderBlocks
Audio .Power of Audio Tilly Brooke https://lnkd.in/eaynErPK
Families
Toddlers, Tech and Talk study today Rosie Flewitt https://lnkd.in/eczskf85
YouTube on ipads Replacing childens TV Of interest, Anne Wood (producer “In the Night garden” regarded “quality EYFS content, featured Today Programme R4 around @ 1.24 mins https://lnkd.in/e2z8Ncr3
Anne talked about the normalisation of YouTube on mobiles for youngest children and demise of quality content produced for this audience.
Islington Computing 