A new report from Compare and Recycle on how much children are using smartphones reveals how technology is making its way to mealtimes
One in five parents admits they use their smartphone to keep their child occupied during a meal at a restaurant
Almost one in five rely on smartphones to encourage their child to eat their meals
A new survey of UK parents from the mobile phone recycling comparison site has uncovered interesting insights into how deeply smartphones have become embedded in children’s daily routines – especially during mealtimes.
The study reveals that an astounding third (34%) of children struggle to get through a meal without watching a screen. Meanwhile, one in five (21%) parents also admitted to using screens to keep their children occupied when dining out at restaurants, and almost 1 in 5 (18%) have allowed screen use during meals just to encourage their children to eat their meal.
While screens may offer a short-term solution for calming or occupying kids during meals, experts warn of possible unintended long-term developmental consequences.
In partnership with Compare and Recycle, Olivia Hodges, a paediatric occupational therapist, explains:
“Screen time management can be such a challenging part of parenthood to navigate.
“There’s so much conflicting information online, and the demands of work and family life can understandably lead to increased reliance on screens.
“But when screens are used during meals, children may become distracted from the experience of eating itself. They miss out on learning about their food, social interaction at the table, and the sensory experiences that help develop oral motor skills. Over time, this can even affect how well a child learns to chew or move food around their mouth.”
Olivia’s developmental concerns echo previous research from The Week Junior*, which found that screen use is contributing to the erosion of the once-cherished tradition of family conversation during meals.
The study found that just one in three (32%) families with children aged between 8-16 sat down to eat together every day, and when they did have dinner as a family, one in four didn’t talk to each other at all.
How can families stop screen time during meals?
While screens may offer a moment of calm, Olivia encourages parents to help their children build positive mealtime associations, without devices or other digital distractions:
“It’s incredibly challenging, but I believe it’s essential to model good habits around food. Try introducing a ‘no-screens-at-the-table’ rule and focus on creating a calm, sensory-friendly eating space.”
She also recommends:
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Using soft, natural lighting at the table
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Reducing background noise
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Keeping the dining table clutter-free
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And, supporting children’s posture by ensuring they’re able to have their feet flat on the floor, or a small step
Olivia shares a useful pre-mealtime tip to encourage children away from looking at screens while they eat:
“Before meals, it can help to do some ‘heavy work’ or deep pressure activities – things that regulate the central nervous system and support the child to feel ready to sit and eat. This might include crawling games, pushing a toy basket, or animal walks like crab or bear walking.”
Antonia Hristov, Head of Marketing at Compare and Recycle, commented on the research: “Appropriate use of devices can encourage and promote engagement in children, but it must be done mindfully, especially during early developmental years.
“As adults, it’s hard enough for us to curb our own screen time, especially when devices are so engaging, so it’s no surprise that parents are turning to screens as a way to make mealtimes a little easier or keep little ones entertained. There’s no shame in that – parenting is demanding, and sometimes, the quick fix is what makes the most sense.
“However, with our findings showing that increased screen time amongst children is starting to have an impact on traditional developmental milestones, adults must lead by example as much as possible. In an era of constant connectivity, it’s unrealistic to cut screens out entirely – but substituting screen time for more intentional activities as a family, like mealtimes, can make all the difference.”
For more information on how much technology is being used by young children, visit
