Children spending too long on maths app TT Rockstars, MP warns

Labour MP Emily Darlington has warned that TT Rockstars and similar educational apps may encourage primary school children to spend too long on screens by rewarding time online and competition with classmates. She raised the concern as Parliament’s Science Committee examines how screen use may affect children’s brain development, amid plans for government guidance on screen time for five to 16-year-olds.

TT Rockstars founder Bruno Reddy said the company discourages long sessions and recommends three minutes, four or five times a week; in September, a typical child played on three days for about six minutes each time. From 24 November, all schools will have a curfew and daily time limit enabled, with leaderboards switched off by default. The app’s parent company says TT Rockstars and Numbots are used in 17,000 schools and more than 100,000 households; ministers and campaigners have also questioned whether classroom technology improves learning.