It's easy for kids to rack up hours of screen time a day. But too much screen time can impact a child's development and contribute to weight and sleep problems. Kids younger than 18 months shouldn't have screen time, except for video-chatting alongside adults. Limited, high-quality viewing (with an adult) is recommended for kids 18 to 24 months, and from 2 to 5 years, screen use should be capped at an hour a day. School-age kids need consistent limits, too. Show
What is screen time?Any time a child spends looking at an electronic screen is considered screen time. This includes watching videos and television shows, playing video games, and using a computer, phone, or tablet. And it adds up fast: You might not think twice about letting your child fiddle with your phone or look at a book on your tablet, and it's tempting to share silly YouTube videos or cute photos on Instagram. And then in school or on playdates, your kid may be using devices or playing games they don't have access to at home. What about video chats with family? Do those count as screen time?Video chats with family and friends – who live far away or are traveling away from home, for example – are considered an exception to screen time. Unlike screen time that's not interactive, or that a child views on their own, engaging in conversations with caring adults, even over a screen, lets young children practice social skills. And it's been especially useful in helping children maintain relationships with remote relatives because of COVID restrictions. Think about ways to maximize your child's engagement during those valuable chats. You might set up regular video visits with distant relatives and prepare for those visits by having your child make something to show and talk about, or by asking your child ahead of time what they might ask during the chat, for example. Screen time for kids: How much is too much?When it comes to raising kids, what's ideal isn't always what's practical. It's true that there are downsides of too much screen time (see below), and giving your child a screen as an easy escape – to calm or distract them when they're bored or restless, for example – robs them of the opportunity to learn how to cope with and move past boredom or emotional discomfort. But when you're working at home and your child has reached their recommended viewing limit for the day, it's only practical to let them exceed that ideal limit for a bit while you finish up your Zoom meeting. When you're on a trip and your child has reached their screen viewing limit – as well as their car riding limit – it's understandable that you'd make an exception for a few more miles. And, of course, if your child is school aged and participating in virtual learning, chances are their screen time will be beyond what's ideal (though you may want to further limit non-school screen time on school days to balance the scale a bit). It's helpful to know what's ideal, though, so parents can make informed, balanced decisions for their own families. Here's what The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends for children: Advertisement | page continues below
For years, the AAP strictly recommended no screen time before age 2, and less than two hours per day after that. But the group revised its guidelines in 2016 to help parents make more informed choices about how their family uses screens. How much screen time is common for kids?According to Common Sense Media, children from birth to age 8 average about two and a half hours of screen media daily. Each day:
Viewing varies from child to child, though, with almost a quarter of children up to age 8 not watching any screen media and – at the other end of the spectrum – nearly a quarter of them spending over four hours daily on their screens. Here's how children spend their screen time:
With so much digital media directed toward kids – from streaming videos to games and educational tools – parents rightly worry how much is too much. Experts also now emphasize that how kids use screens is just as important as how much they use them. What are the downsides of too much screen time?There's a strong case to be made that too much screen time can be harmful to kids. Here are some of the top concerns. Social, emotional, and behavioral developmentParents' biggest worry is how screen time might hurt development, and there is good reason to be concerned. Kids on their screens are missing opportunities to interact with their parents, other adults, and other children. Studies have shown that children who spend more than the recommended amount of time on their screens are more likely to demonstrate hyperactive and inattentive behavior, act impulsively, and make poorer decisions. Children who watch too much TV early on – in infancy through preschool – show delays in thinking, language, and social skills. And watching violent content may contribute to behavioral problems in children – because they're frightened or because they copy what they've watched. Ongoing studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) of more than 4,500 preteens found that those who spent more than two hours a day on screens scored lower on language and thinking tests than those who spent less time on their screens. And those who spend more than seven hours show a premature thinning of the cortex (the outer layer of the brain, which processes sensory information). Weight issuesBeing in front of a screen means your child isn't moving. It may also mean that they're exposed to food advertising and increased snacking while watching TV. Studies have confirmed that too much screen time contributes to childhood obesity and future weight gain, and reducing screen time helps reverse the trend. One five-year study of over 3,500 children in eight countries found that children were 16 percent more likely to become overweight or obese for every extra hour of screen viewing. The same study found that every hour less of sleep was associated with a 23 percent increased risk of overweight or obesity. Read about how consistent bedtimes could lower a child's risk of obesity. Sleep issuesThe more time children spend watching screens – particularly in the evening – the less sleep they get. The AAP warns against keeping screens in kids' bedrooms, noting that even small screens like phones and tablets have been linked to poor sleep quality. The light emitted by screens may delay melatonin release and make it harder to fall asleep. (This is true for adults, too, but children are twice as sensitive to the light exposure.) Content matters, too: Researchers found that preschoolers exposed to violent media had more nighttime sleep problems. Unhealthy habitsThe habit of too much screen time can be hard to break. One study found that the more time 4-year-olds spent watching TV, the more difficulty they had taking breaks from screens when they were 6. As kids get older, many parents worry about dependent and addictive tendencies. According to a study of over 40,000 children ages two to 17, children who spend seven hours or more a day on their screens are more than twice as likely than children who use screens for an hour a day to suffer from depression or anxiety. The study also found that high users of media show less curiosity, self-control, and emotional stability. Screen time isn't all bad. But your child should still have plenty of time for other, healthful activities, such as active play, reading, and interacting with others. How can I set manageable screen time rules for my family?Little to no screen time may sound like a great goal, but reality tends to get in the way of a parent's best intentions. Maybe you started out by banning TV, but then your preschooler found your iPad and is now tapping and swiping like a pro. Or maybe the rules you carefully established with your first child got bent – or tossed entirely – by the time your second child came on the scene. Screen time almost inevitably increases as kids get older. Figuring out what's best for you, your child, and your family feels like picking through a media minefield, says Lisa Guernsey, coauthor of Tap, Click, Read: Growing Readers in a World of Screens. Technology is moving fast, and with so many new products designed for and marketed to young kids, parents often end up feeling guilty or overwhelmed. The problem for many well-meaning parents is that rules limiting or prohibiting screen time can be rigid and hard to enforce. What to do? Guernsey suggests using the "three C's" to help you decide when screen time is okay:
"Thinking about the three C's in the moment, when you're trying to decide whether to let your child play with a tablet or watch a show, helps you make better, more mindful choices," says Guernsey. To identify your priorities and develop strategies that might work for your family, try using the AAP's online tool for coming up with a family media plan. You can personalize it according to your children's ages, your values, and your family's routines. What qualifies as "educational" screen time?High-quality media can help children develop important skills, and there are some great games and apps on the market that support reading, math, and other skills. "We have some really nice evidence that kids are able to learn from a video or game that's been well designed," says Guernsey. The tricky part, however, is sorting the good stuff from the bad. There are no standards that app developers need to meet in order to market their products as educational, and most are made without following a curriculum or using input from experts in education or child development. You can try to assess what's appropriate for your child's age and stage, but it's hard to judge what might contribute to real learning. Here are some tips for evaluating a program or app for your child:
Even if you load your child's tablet with what you believe are age-appropriate apps, games, and e-books, the reality is that devices can be distracting. Kids are quick to jump from one game to another or just mindlessly click around. And screens entice kids away from time spent with books, toys, sports and outdoor play, arts, and each other's company. Are e-books just as good as print books?E-books have their limitations. Researchers have found that interactive storybooks can be distracting for both parents and children, making reading together a less enjoyable and enriching experience. Children and parents ask fewer questions, and kids have trouble following along when reading an e-book together. Your child will get the most out of any reading experience if you sit with them and talk about what's happening. ("What might happen next? Remember when you tried strawberry ice cream too?") Digital books often involve lots of fun buttons, lights, and noises, and it's easy to get distracted by the device rather than focusing on the story. The lesson here is there's nothing wrong with the occasional e-book, but keep reading traditional books to your child. And when you do turn to tablets or apps for reading:
When are kids getting their own cell phones and tablets?A BabyCenter survey found that phones and tablets are commonplace among the little-kid set: About 85 percent of parents allow their children ages 2 to 8 to use their phones, and nearly half of kids that age have their own tablet. Some start with "kiddie" versions, like the LeapPad, but more jump straight to the real thing, such as the iPad. Common Sense Media reports that nearly half of 2- to 4-year-olds and more than two-thirds of 5- to 8-year-olds have their own tablet or smartphone. Parents say that they buy children phones for safety and convenience – they want to be able to reach them and know where they are. But predictably, kids have different interests. Their favorite activities are playing games and watching videos. Some parents hold off on devices, some ease in by letting a child play with an old phone, and others aren't really concerned if Grandma wants to give everyone a tablet for Christmas. No matter what approach you take, be aware of what your child is up to, and find ways to moderate how and when devices are used. How can I support my child's interest in technology?Of course, we want our children to become tech-literate as they grow up. We also want to nurture and encourage kids who might grow up to be the next great tech innovator. But it's not just a matter of exposing kids to technology, notes Guernsey, it's about teaching them to think critically about it. Children, with their parents' and teachers' guidance, "should ideally be developing an understanding of how tech is used to communicate, exchange ideas, and build knowledge," says Guernsey. Toward that end, you can reinforce the concept of technology as a tool – when looking at a map, paying bills online, or attending a video conference for work – and set a thoughtful example. "Take the time to explain what you're doing around tech yourself," Guernsey says. Ask your child's school how they're introducing kids to technology. If your kid shows interest in where technology comes from, tell them some people have the awesome job of developing new programs and apps, which is something they can learn how to do, too. By the way, there's no need to feel pressured to let your child use tech early. Your child won't fall behind their peers – kids figure out how to use phones and tablets very quickly. And there's no need to let them have their own device. You'll have an easier time controlling the use of an item that you hold the keys to, so to speak, rather than one your child "owns." Healthy tips for managing your kids' screen timeSet family guidelines
Stay involved
Think beyond screen time
Screen time is a pretty universal concern these days, so it might help chat with other parents about how their families deal with it. Also check out our collection of tips from parents on limiting screen time at home. Learn more:
How much television does the average American child watch per week?Television Use in America
American children spend an average of four hours a day watching television that is 28 hours a week, 2,400 hours a year and nearly 18,000 hours by the time they graduate from high school. In comparison, they spend only 13,000 hours in school, from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
What is the term for play that involves simple repetitive activities typical of 3 year olds?Practice play is about exploring materials and toys to “see what they do.” It involves simple, repetitive movements, sometimes also without toys.
Which of the following is considered a permanent result of lead poisoning in children?Lead exposure can have serious consequences for the health of children. At high levels of exposure lead attacks the brain and central nervous system, causing coma, convulsions and even death. Children who survive severe lead poisoning may be left with intellectual disability and behavioural disorders.
Which activity is the best example of functional play?Functional Play: This form of play is considered to be the typical or “correct” form of play. -Example: You child is able to play with objects in a way that you would expect. Instead of piling the cars on top of each other to make a tower, you child plays with them by rolling them on the carpet.
|