Screen time warning to parents as quarter of UK families eat dinner in silence

Daily Mirror

09-05-2025

New research has prompted warnings for parents to consider spending more quality time with their children over dinner after a study found that conversations have been swapped for mobiles during meals
Parents have been warned to take action against screen time consumption as the great British dinner chat is dying, experts have revealed. New research has found that families across the country have forgotten the art of catching up at the dinner table.
The research also found that a quarter of the nation eats meals in silence - with two in five children calling for phones to be put away during meals. According to a survey of 2,000 families in the UK, 39% of kids say they ask their parents to remove technology from the table. The study highlighted that more than three-quarters (77%) of families use their phones during supper.
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More than half of kids (51%) are actively on their devices while eating. Kids have become so used to relying on their devices that they prefer picking them up or watching TV, with two-thirds (66%) saying its better than talking to their parents.
The research was carried out with children, aged between 8-16 years old, was commissioned by The Week Junior. The survey was timed alongside 10th anniversay of the UK's only weekly news magazine for children. It showed that mobile phones were one of the reasons behind the drop-off of family conversations at dinner time.
But technology isn't the only reason behind the decline in conversation, as busy schedules has also taken time away from family dinner. As a result of the research, The Week Junior has launched a series of conversation chat starters to help families reconnect and engage once more in intergenerational dinner table dialogue.
Even without the impact of technology, the idea of the traditional family dinner seems to be fading - with just one in three (32%) of families sitting down to eat together daily. Many parents are also left feeling ill-equipped to navigate conversations with their children as a heavy news agenda adds another obstacle to the conversation.
82% of children say they want the dinner table to be somewhere they can talk to their parents about what is happening in the world, with the same proportion of parents admitting they don't have these discussions regularly any more. Seven in ten (71%) parents admit they struggle to know what to say in the face of today's challenges, with only a third (33%0 feeling fully confident in explaining current affairs in a way that is accessible, accurate and reassuring.
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Child psychologist Dr Elizabeth Kilbey stressed the importance of finding the time for discussion over dinner. She explained that it boosts the child's development but also helps them become more open minded.
The majority of participants (93%) said they would be happy to introduce dinner table rules again if it helps with their child's development. With 94% of parents saying they learn something from their children during these open discussions.
And children are eager to engage too - four in five (82%) say they want dinner to be a special time set aside exclusively for conversation with their parents. And a vast majority (885) enjoy debating a wide range of topics, from global affairs to playgound drama, and 83% of children prefer having these conversations face-to-face with their parents at the table, rather than over the phone.
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Dr Kilbey said: 'In a world that's more connected yet increasingly disconnected, dinner time provides a powerful platform for fostering personal understanding and essential conversations. The Week Junior reconises that these moments of shared dialogue are crucial for building strong family bonds and enhancing critical thinking in children.
"It's these simple, daily interactions that can make a significant impact, not just in strengthening family ties but in cultivating a generation equipped to lead empathetically and thoughtfully. Let's pave the way for a future where every voice is heard, starting at home."
Vanessa Harriss, Editor of The Week Junior, said: "As our research shows, quality time spent together over the dinner table is vital for families. Whether it's chatting about everyday things or discussing what's going on in the news, these family conversations boost children's wellbeing and development.
"That's why we're encouraging everyone to talk a little more as families. As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, The Week Junior is also getting even bigger. With an extra four pages every week, we'll be including conversation starters for our young readers - because taking time to talk makes everyone feel happier."