Screens are everywhere, and it can be tough to manage how much time your child spends using them.
Some screen time can be educational, but too much can lead to problems.
Here’s how to guide your child’s screen use and develop healthy habits.
Why Limit Screen Time?
Too much screen time can cause:
- Obesity
- Poor sleep schedules and not enough rest
- Behavior problems
- Delayed language and social skills
- Violence exposure
- Trouble paying attention
- Less time spent learning
Unstructured play is better for young children’s brains than screen time. Kids under 2 learn more by interacting with parents, siblings, and others.
Screen Time by Age
- Under 18 months: Only video chatting is recommended.
- 18 to 24 months: If you introduce digital media, make sure it’s high quality and use it together.
- Ages 2 to 5: Limit screen time to one hour a day of high-quality programming.
- Ages 6 and older: Balance screen time with other activities and decide what’s appropriate for your child’s needs.
Tips for Quality Screen Time
- Watch and play together. Use media to teach real-life lessons.
- Preview programs, apps, and games to ensure they are appropriate.
- Choose interactive content over passive content.
- Use parental controls to block or filter inappropriate content.
- Talk to your child about what they watch and play.
Avoid:
- Fast-paced or violent programming.
- Apps with distracting content or ads.
Setting Limits for Older Kids
- Encourage offline play and creativity.
- Establish tech-free zones or times, like during meals or before bed.
- Set daily or weekly screen time limits and curfews.
- Keep screens out of bedrooms, and charge devices outside at night.
- Turn off background TV.
Teaching Digital Literacy
Help your child think critically about what they see online:
- Is it accurate?
- Can the website be trusted?
- Teach them that media content is created by people with specific goals, such as selling ads or collecting data.
Teaching Safe Online Behavior
- Discuss appropriate behavior, like avoiding sexting, cyberbullying, and oversharing personal information.
- Explain that once something is shared online, it’s permanent.
- Monitor your child’s social media and online activity, even if they seem responsible.
Set a Good Example
Kids watch how adults use screens. Show them how to use technology responsibly and set boundaries for yourself too.
By setting clear rules and revisiting them as your child grows, you can help them develop healthy screen habits for life.
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