All Posts
Educational Resources
5
min read

Screen use among under-twos: Risks and solutions

Screen use among under-twos: Risks and solutions
Written by
Miriam McCaleb & Samantha Marsh
Published on
October 21, 2026

A major systematic review from the UK has found negligible benefits and substantial potential harms associated with screen use among children under two. In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), screen use in this age group is normalised. Learned patterns of harmful screen behaviour can become entrenched as routines, displace rich caregiver interactions, and shape developmental trajectories in ways that persist into later childhood.

Very young children’s screen use represents a commercial determinant of health, as screen products are engineered to maximise engagement and corporate profit, while the resulting harms fall on the child, whānau, and wider society. Public health action to reduce early screen exposure needs to shift messaging away from individual parental blame and towards structural policy changes, which could support healthy child development and potentially reduce the need for interventions later in childhood.

‍

Read the full article here:

https://www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/screen-use-among-under-twos-risks-and-solutions

‍

‍

How PerVigeō supports children and families

We offer a safe, non-judgemental space where your family is welcomed by people who understand. Our team partners with you to explore your child’s unique strengths and challenges and to create a personalised plan for support.
Whether you’re looking for reassurance, advice, or formal assessment, we’re here to help.

Better together

Together, we’ll take the next steps toward helping your child reach their full potential.
Contact team

Related reading

Expert Advice

Why Does My Child Fall Apart at Home?

Expert Advice

“They’re fine at kindy. They seem to manage well at school. But as soon as we get home, everything falls apart.”If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone!For many families, the contrast between how their tamariki manage in the outside world and how they behave at home can be confusing — and exhausting. You might find yourself wondering, “Why can they do it there but not here?” or even, “What am I doing wrong?” The answer may be more about capacity than behaviour.
Expert Advice

The Quiet Magic of Tree Climbing

Expert Advice

When a child climbs a tree, their body naturally begins to organise itself. They pull themselves up, press their feet into the bark, adjust their grip, and shift their weight. All of this provides rich proprioceptive input—the kind that helps children understand where their body is in space. For many tamariki, this input can feel deeply regulating. It can bring a sense of calm, help with focus, and support that feeling of being “in” their body rather than overwhelmed by it.
Educational Resources

Bioecological theory to practice for children with Down syndrome in New Zealand​

Educational Resources

Presented at the International Down Syndrome Research Forum 2026 - We document the emergence of the Christchurch Early Intervention Trust programme in 1970’s New Zealand, a pioneering integrated, biopsychosocial nongovernmental early intervention service for infants and young children with Down syndrome. Barriers existed from the micro to the macro levels and included family and community attitudes and beliefs, professional training limitations, and resistance and lack of understanding at all levels of Bronfenbrenner's model. These were addressed through a new integrated service delivery model involving collaboration with, and education of, families and professionals, and the harnessing of key players in the medical and educational professions.
Educational Resources

Neurodivergence and the three ‘hidden’ senses: proprioception, interoception and the vestibular system

Educational Resources

We all have key senses that we use to understand and navigate the world around us. They play a vital role in the way we experience our environment and the way we respond to it. You’re probably familiar with the five senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell, but there are three other significant ones to be aware of too: Proprioception, interoception and the vestibular system
Educational Resources

What Is Felt-Safety—and why does it matter?

Educational Resources

As parents, caregivers, or educators, we all want our children to be safe. But there’s a deeper layer to safety that often goes unnoticed—felt-safety. It's more than just physical protection or setting boundaries. It's about how safe a child feels—emotionally, physically, and socially.Understanding and nurturing this internal sense of safety is key to helping children thrive. Let’s explore what felt-safety really means, why it matters, and how you can support it in your child's daily life.
Expert Advice

Your Calm Is Their Calm: Co-Regulation Strategies for Infants and Toddlers

Expert Advice

In the earliest years of life, children can’t regulate their emotions on their own—they rely on the calm presence of a caregiver to help them feel safe and secure. This process is known as co-regulation: the supportive, responsive way adults help infants and toddlers manage big feelings before they can do it alone.This article from Zero to Three explores how co-regulation begins at birth, offering practical strategies for everyday moments. From holding a crying baby to using a calm tone during a toddler’s meltdown, caregivers can be a child’s emotional anchor. Simple techniques—like sitting close, breathing together, and labeling emotions—help lay the foundation for lifelong emotional resilience.
Subscribe to newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest blog posts to your inbox every week.

By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy.
PerVigeō logo with text
Thank you! Your details have been saved for future communications and resources 😀
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting your details. Please refresh the page and try again. 😟