Screen time is any time spent looking at a screen. Screens can be smartphones, gaming devices, tablets, computers and TVs.
Positive and healthy screen time is possible with guidance and consistency.
Healthy screen time habits promote:
- positive physical health
- positive social and emotional development
- brain development
- connection and good relationships
Limiting your child to the right amount of screen time for their age is the first step to developing healthy screen time habits.
Recommended screen time limits
How much screen time you give your child depends on their age.
0 to 18 months
If your baby is age 18 months or younger, do not let them spend time in front of a screen. But including them on video calls to friends and family is fine.
18 months to 2 years
If your child is between age 18 months and 2 years, limit screen time as much as possible. Your child will learn how to talk, play and interact by spending time with you and other children.
You may find it easier to let your child have screen time if you are busy, for example, cooking a meal. But there are other things you can do to help them pass the time.
You can:
- give your child a toy to play with or an activity to do near you
- involve them in what you're doing, for example, when you are cooking a meal
2 to 5 years
If your child is between age 2 and 5, they should not spend more than 1 hour a day using screens, including watching TV.
Make sure to choose something you can watch or play together.
6 years and over
If your child is age 6 or over, a one-size-fits-all approach may not work. Focus on encouraging a balance of screen time and offline activities.
Prioritise getting enough sleep, playing, physical and social activities and hobbies.
This is a good age to start having conversations about screen time and limits.
If you choose to set screen time limits, you can:
- choose apps that have automatic stops or pauses
- use the downtime or screen time limit settings on your device
- use a timer plug to turn your wifi on and off
- set smartphones to greyscale or sleep mode for all or some of the day - this will help reduce scrolling
As your child gets older, have regular conversations about:
- age-appropriate content
- setting online boundaries
- respecting others online
Find out more about internet safety from Webwise.
Effects of screen time on your child
If your young child spends a lot of time in front of screens, they may miss out on activities that are important to their development.
For example:
- physical activity
- playing
- connecting with other people
This can lead to poorer:
- language skills
- cognitive skills, for example, issues with their attention
- sleep
- relationships
- ability to manage their emotions
- fitness levels
Even having a TV on in the background can have a negative impact on your child’s development.
Your child’s developmental milestones
Tips for healthy screen time
Be mindful about how you use screens around your child. Children like to copy others. The best way to teach your child healthy screen time habits, is to have healthy habits yourself.
Be aware of how often you look at screens when you’re with your child.
There are other things you can do to promote healthy screen time.
Do
-
agree on a set of rules with your child on screen time in the home
-
set aside times or places at home that are screen free zones, such as the kitchen table, mealtimes or after dinner
-
turn off or put away TVs and screens when they are not in use
-
set aside special times in the week for family activities that are screen free
Don't
-
do not use a screen to calm your child down
-
do not have screens and TVs in your child's bedroom
-
do not use screens an hour before bedtime
Get involved with your child’s screen time
Get involved with your child's screen time and make sure they are engaging with high-quality content.
For example:
- be in the same room as your child when they are on a device - this will let you watch what they are watching or playing
- talk to your child about what they are doing on their devices and how it relates to the world around them
- choose programmes or apps that are right for your child's age - avoid videos or apps that are very noisy or fast-paced
- test apps before your child uses them so you know what they involve
There are many apps advertised as educational. But there is very little evidence to back up these claims. It is important to do your own research.
Making the most of screen time
This video shares latest research insights and tips on how to make the most of screen time and how to use screen-time appropriately based on your child’s age.
