Screen Time Smarts

Screen Time Smarts

Screen Time Guide for Parents

Follow these guidelines for age-appropriate screen time.*

Birth to 18 months

  • Only video-chatting with a parent or caregiver present to talk and teach.

18 to 24 months

For parents who want to introduce digital media:

  • Choose high quality programming.
  • View with your child instead of leaving them alone.

2-5 years

  • No more than 1 hour per day.
  • Co-view or co-play with your children.
  • Choose interactive, non-violent, educational media programming.

*From the American Academy of Pediatrics, www.healthychildren.org

Limiting screen time can help your child

  • Sleep better. Kids who use screens less often and outside of bedrooms sleep longer and fall asleep earlier at night. even babies sleep better with less screen time.
  • Develop learning and social skills. Less screen time often means more interaction with parents and family, which helps children learn to speak, solve problems, and pay attention.
  • Gain the right amount of weight. Less screen time can mean less snacking and less exposure to food advertising. Children will likely be more physically active too.
  • Learn good behavior. Limiting media can limit your child’s exposure to violence. Violent content can lead to confusion, fear, or copying violent behaviors.

Tips for parents

  • Don’t feel pressure to introduce screens early to your child.
  • Interact with your children without a screen.
  • Limit your own use of screens around your kids.
  • Use radio or music for background noise instead of the TV.
  • Keep screens out of bedrooms.
  • Turn off screens at least 1 hour before bedtime.
  • Use books or cuddles to soothe your child instead of a device.
  • Schedule screen-free times such as playtime and meals.
  • Plan for outings by bringing books or toys to entertain your child, instead of screens.