Children spending too long on maths app TT Rockstars, MP warns
Summary
Labour MP Emily Darlington has warned that TT Rockstars and similar maths apps may encourage primary school children to spend too long on screens. The app’s founder says the company is adding school curfews and daily limits, while the UK government is preparing screen-time guidance for children aged five to 16.Key Facts
- TT Rockstars lets pupils practise times tables and compete for virtual coins, characters and outfits.
- Emily Darlington raised concerns about the app at a House of Commons Science Committee hearing on screen time and children’s brain development.
- TT Rockstars founder Bruno Reddy said the company recommends sessions of about three minutes, four or five times a week.
- Reddy said that in September, a typical child used the app on three days for about six minutes each time.
- The company plans to switch on a curfew and daily time limit for every school from 24 November, and turn off leaderboards by default.
- Maths Circle says TT Rockstars and its Numbots app are used in 17,000 schools and more than 100,000 households.
- Reddy said the apps have no advertising and do not use features such as streaks, random rewards, chat messages, loot boxes or notifications.
- The UK government is preparing guidance for schools and parents on screen time for children aged five to 16.
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