Independent MLA for Kurrajong Thomas Emerson is pushing for restrictions on children’s screen use in ACT schools and early learning centres.

The push comes in the wake of a government-commissioned report revealed 28 per cent of Territory children are developmentally vulnerable in at least one area.

The ACT has Australia’s second-highest rate of developmental vulnerability, which has increased at every three-yearly Australian Early Development Census since 2015.

The figure rises to 52 per cent for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the ACT.

Emerson announced today that he would seek the Legislative Assembly’s support later this year for restrictions on digital devices in early childhood education and preschools, and evidence-based limits on screen use and artificial intelligence in schools.

He also wants a public health campaign advising parents about the potential developmental effects of screen exposure, beginning during pregnancy.

The government-commissioned report, tabled in the Assembly today, acknowledges the impact of technology and screen exposure on children’s development but makes no specific recommendations to address it.

“We’re replacing too many meaningful human interactions with screens, and it’s disastrous for children’s development,” Emerson says.

He also links rising developmental vulnerability to housing affordability, cost-of-living pressures and the quality of early childhood education and care.

Emerson says financial pressures are reducing the time parents can spend with their children, while long hours in poor-quality childcare can contribute to developmental difficulties, particularly in social and emotional development.

He is calling for improved support for families and higher standards in early childhood education.

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