The parents using play to stop children getting 'trapped' by screens

The parents using play to stop children getting 'trapped' by screens7 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleHannah KarpelHannah Karpel / BBCRecently the UK government announced new guidance which states children under the age of five should be limited to one hour of screen time a day, while under-twos should not be watching screens alone.The guidance suggests "screen swaps" - taking screens away to read stories together or playing games.But is that easier said than done? Parents have told the BBC about how they try to prioritise meaningful ways to connect with their children, as busy schedules, rising living costs and the pull of technology continue to dominate family life.For Errol Murray, founder of Leeds Dads, helping families reconnect has become a personal mission.Hannah Karpel / BBCErrol and son Isaac have been encouraging more dads in the community to join them in their weekend adventuresEvery Saturday morning, he heads out with his 10-year-old son Isaac and a group of local fathers to try something new - from discovering insects at a nearby lake to attending soft play sessions that include a free breakfast.It makes a nice change from being on screens, says Errol, describing the change in his son's behaviour: "When you give them a five or 10-minute warning to come off the screens, we find the response is still the same. They get angry, they get upset, they get agitated."You've got to find something that makes them turn away from phones, screens and tablets, because you get trapped there."The father-son duo particularly enjoy group walks in the park, especially when Isaac can take his remote-control car along too."Doing something with your kids, instead of saying 'see you when you get back', means you're able to actively build a connection," he says.As Errol's network of Leeds Dads continues to grow, many parents admit to grappling with how to limit technology and build a connec...