Alarm at Screen Use in Reception School Tests

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

Thousands of parents and experts have raised objections to the use of touchscreen tablets in England’s Reception Baseline Assessment for four- and five-year-olds, citing concerns about stress, screen time limits, and inadequate adult support during testing. The controversy underscores ongoing challenges in balancing digital technology integration with established early childhood development guidelines and has prompted calls for the removal of devices from the assessment.

Thousands of parents and education experts have raised concerns over the use of touchscreen devices in the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA), a compulsory test conducted within the first six weeks of school for four- and five-year-olds in England. The assessment, which transitioned to a partly digital format last year, requires young children to complete tasks on tablets, prompting criticism that it conflicts with official guidance on screen time for early childhood.

Current government advice, issued in March, recommends that children aged two to five should spend no more than one hour a day using screens, ideally accompanied by an adult to support interaction and development. However, the RBA's guidance reportedly discourages teachers from assisting or prompting children during the test, even when they face difficulties or confusion.

Research conducted by Leeds Beckett University found that every child observed during the digital version of the RBA showed signs of distress while taking the test, with teachers unable to intervene. Dr. Mandy Pierlejewski, part of the research team, described the assessment as “wholly inappropriate” for young children, citing issues of stress, inaccuracy, and the requirement for digital literacy that children at this age typically do not possess. Jane Rowland of the campaign group SafeScreens echoed these concerns, calling for devices to be removed from the RBA and criticizing the government for compelling young children to engage with digital technology they should ideally avoid.

Parents who have actively limited their children’s exposure to smartphones and tablets expressed frustration with the test’s digital component. In a letter to Education Minister Paul Waugh, approximately 2,700 parents argued that four- and five-year-olds should not be expected to be familiar with touchscreen devices and that parents should not feel compelled to support their children in using digital versions of the assessment.

The Department for Education countered that the RBA only requires the use of screens for part of the assessment and insisted that the process aligns with existing guidelines intended to promote healthy and balanced screen use. Officials emphasized that parents also receive guidance on supporting their children throughout the assessment experience.

As debate continues, the controversy highlights tensions between educational policy, child development recommendations, and the integration of technology in early learning environments.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.