Labour MP Emily Darlington told the Commons Science Committee that children are spending excessive hours on educational games to compete for virtual cosmetics. Early years education minister Paul Waugh supported her stance, cautioning that gamified models prioritize commercial profit over optimal learning while the government drafts screen-time rules for five to 16-year-olds. Maths Circle founder Bruno Reddy countered that typical usage sits at just six minutes across three days a week without addictive elements like loot boxes. To mitigate growing concerns, the company is introducing automated curfews, daily limits, and disabling school leaderboards starting on 24 November.
Key points
Government officials fear educational platforms use gamified incentives that compromise c…: Government officials fear educational platforms use gamified incentives that compromise childhood learning and well-being.
The platform's creator maintains that average student participation lasts only a few minu…: The platform's creator maintains that average student participation lasts only a few minutes across several days per week.
Mandatory software restrictions are being rolled out nationwide to actively limit primary…: Mandatory software restrictions are being rolled out nationwide to actively limit primary pupils' overall competitive screen exposure.
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Concerns have been raised with the government about the amount of time primary school children are spending on a game designed to make learning times tables fun.
TT Rockstars, which allows children to compete with their classmates for virtual coins and rock-star themed characters and outfits, is widely used by schools for maths homework.
Labour MP Emily Darlington said the app and others like it could be harming children's development because it rewards them for "length of time rather than quality of time spent online".
Bruno Reddy, founder of the firm behind TT Rockstars, said he shared concerns about screen time and was working with schools to bring in curfews and time limits.
He said the company discourages long sessions, adding: "Every game in TTRS is deliberately short, and our characters remind children to take regular breaks.
"The rule of thumb we give schools is: three minutes, four or five times a week. In September, a typical child played on three days, for about six minutes each time."
He said that from 24 November "every school will have…
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