Healthy Screen Time Guidelines For Kids

Between online schoolwork, video calls with grandparents, and Saturday morning cartoons, screens are part of almost every moment of family life. Finding a balance can feel impossible—but it doesn’t have to be.

Yes, studies show that too much screen time can affect kids’ development, sleep and mood. But experts say the goal isn’t to cut screens out completely—it’s to build healthy habits around how and when they’re used. Here’s what parents should know.

In this modern day and age, you can't prevent your child from being exposed to screens, but we can help you and them be prepared.

Understanding what counts as screen time

Basically, if your kid is staring at a screen—TV, tablet, phone, computer or game console—it counts. But not all screen time is created equal. It usually falls into two categories:

• Passive: Watching videos, movies or having a show on in the background.
• Interactive: Using educational apps, video chatting with family, reading e-books or making art online.

Passive viewing is generally less productive, so it's best to keep it to a minimum. And while interactive screen use might seem more educational, it still needs limits, too.

So what are the recommended restrictions for screen time? We've got you and your child covered.

Official screen time guidelines by age group

Both the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have screen time advisories that almost run parallel to one another:

• Under two years: Only brief, occasional video chats. Between 18–24 months, short educational programming with a caregiver is OK.
• Ages two to five: Keep recreational screen time to about 1 hour a day, or up to 3 hours on weekends.
• Ages six and up: Aim for less than 2 hours a day of recreational use.

Don’t panic if you’re not hitting these perfectly; few parents are. The point is to make screens one part of a balanced day, not the main event.

Why following screen time guidelines matters

In a child's early years, screen time can get in the way of building essential life skills, such as language, self-regulation and creative thinking. Even the best toddler videos can't teach these the way real-life interactions can.

Research shows that too much screen use can affect how kids think and learn. It can make it harder for them to focus, remember things, control impulses and switch between tasks. Too much time spent on screens can also get in the way of hands-on learning and school performance.

It's also important to practice good sleep hygiene, avoiding screens for an hour or two before bed. The CPS says that kids who use screens right before bed often have a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep. They also note that having screens in a child’s bedroom is linked with getting less sleep overall. The CPS doesn’t limit these findings to a specific age group, but the effects have been seen in young kids, too, which is why they recommend keeping bedrooms screen-free and turning off devices at least an hour before bedtime.

Balancing screen time with other essential activities

Before you start hiding all the screens in your home, take a deep breath. Los Angeles-based paediatrician Joel "Gator" Warsh emphasizes the importance of balance when it comes to engaging in screen-based activities. "My biggest concern as a paediatrician, even as a dad, is what the kids are not doing. So if we're on this much, we're on the iPad too much, then we're not outside, we're not playing, we're not active, we're not necessarily engaging with our family or friends," he says.

Children need daily engagement in activities that support development—specifically ones that do not involve a screen. Here are a couple we recommend, and what developmental categories they fall into.

• For social-emotional growth: Try pretend play, puppet shows or games like Simon Says.
• For cognitive skills: Puzzles, scavenger hunts, and memory games work wonders.
• For fine motor skills: Painting, LEGO, playdough or crafts help build coordination.
• For physical health: Get kids outside to run, climb, kick a ball or ride a bike every day.

Dr. Gator says that a little bit of screen time is not a cause for concern. "I don't think that a parent should be worried if their kid watches the screen for a couple of minutes. I don't think that's going to turn your brain to mush, but I do think if they're sitting in front of it for hours, that's where you really run into a concern," he says.

Setting boundaries and creating routines

The CPS and AAP recommend a few simple house rules that can make a big difference:

• Keep screens off during meals and family time.
• Designate screen-free zones, like bedrooms.
• Avoid screens one hour before bedtime.
• Watch together when possible, so you can talk about what they’re seeing.
• Model good habits—if you’re glued to your phone, they will be too.

And remember: it’s not about perfection. A movie night or an extra hour on the iPad during a rough week won’t undo your child’s development. What matters is helping your kids learn balance—just like you’re doing every day.