The UK's four chief medical officers have said that mobile phones should be banned from the dinner table and bedtimes as part of a healthy approach to devices. The guidance adds that children should also take a break from screen-based activities every two hours.

They also said technology companies must do more to keep children safe.

The report coincides with England's Health Secretary, Matt Hancock’s meeting with bosses at Instagram over the handling of self-harm and suicide content.There are several clear steps for parents, which the chief medical officers say will help keep children safe and healthy.

The advice includes:

• not using phones and mobile devices at the dinner table. t
• keeping screens out of the bedroom at bedtime
• talking as a family about keeping safe online and about cyber-bulling and what children should do if they are worried
• not using phones when doing any activity that requires a person's full attention
• making sure children take a break from screens every two hours by getting up and being active
• parent policing their own use too. Parents should give their children quality family time and never assume they are happy for pictures to be shared

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