How Much Screen Time Is Safe for Kids, and How Do You Set Limits

Key takeaways:

It’s normal for children to use devices to learn, find entertainment, and socialize. However, too much time looking at screens can have negative effects.
Excessive use of screens among younger children may impact their natural development, affecting communication and their ability to socialize.
Too much screen time among kids and teens of any age can contribute to poor diet, depression, and a lower quality of life.

It’s normal for kids and teens to enjoy games and videos on their devices. Screens have been common in homes for decades, beginning with the first household television sets. And, in recent years, computers, tablets, and smartphones have stolen the show.

Today, devices are used for much more than video entertainment. They’re now a staple in many schools and are used for classroom activities and homework. And they’re an important part of socializing for older children and teens.

So, if we can’t keep kids off screens entirely, what limits should we set? How much screen time is too much?

What is the recommended screen time for kids?

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology (AACAP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend different screen-time limits for kids depending on their age. But, as the below chart shows, it’s not just the amount of screen time that’s important. Balancing screen time with other activities is also key.

Age	Screen-time recommendations
0-18 months old	Only use screens for video chatting with a relative or other adult.
18-24 months old	Limit screen time to educational material and have an adult present.
2-5 years old	Allow 1 hour per weekday and up to 3 hours on weekend days for non-educational material.
6 years and older	Limit overall screen activities, teach your child healthy habits around screens, and make sure they get plenty of non-screen activity each day.

Each child’s needs and sensitivities are unique. Particularly among older children and teens, the ideal amount of screen time can vary.

What happens if kids have too much screen time?

The impact of too much screen time on children differs depending on their age and situation. Since the way electronic devices are used changes so frequently, experts are still trying to understand the overall effects. Here’s what we know so far.

A recent study looked at the impact of screen time on children ages 2 to 5. The researchers found that many children with high levels of screen time had lower scores on developmental screening tests. These tests look at areas such as language, motor skills, and emotional health.

A review of recent research also found that higher screen times among children of all ages could contribute to poor diet, symptoms of depression, and a generally lower quality of life.

Most children spend more time on screens than what’s recommended. For example, the nonprofit group Common Sense Media reports that children ages 8 and under use screens around 2.5 hours per day.

How can you limit screen time for your kids?

If you’re concerned about your child’s use of screens, begin by encouraging non-screen activities. Consider activities outside and offline, and encourage family time away from devices.

The AACAP provides the following tips:

Set a good example by limiting your own screen time.
Be aware of what your child is watching or engaging in online, and use parenting controls as needed.
Try to limit using screens as a distraction or as a babysitter for your child.
Teach children about online safety.
Turn off screens 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime.

For guidance, you can also use the AAP’s media-planning tool for families. This interactive tool allows you to:

Input your child’s age for specific recommendations
Set physical activity goals for your child
Get guidance on how to implement and follow your plan
Make changes to your family media plan over time

If you’re concerned about your child’s use of devices, it’s best to talk about it openly. Express your concerns without placing blame on your child. Agree to a solution that both respects their needs and makes you comfortable.

Apps to limit screen time

Many families also use parental controls to help limit screen time. If you believe this would be a good fit for your child, you have multiple options. Here are some examples of tools by device type:

Apple products (iPhone, iPad): For Apple products, you can set up limits directly on your child’s device through the screen-time settings. This includes limits on certain apps, such as those for social networking sites. Follow Apple’s detailed instructions to set up screen-time settings on your child’s device. And read about Apple’s parental-control tools, which can limit games, internet browsing, and more.
Android devices: On Android devices, you can use the Family Link app to set up and adjust limits based on your family’s needs. The steps may be different depending on your phone or device. But you can follow Android’s online instructions to get set up.
Other electronic devices: Other types of devices may include their own child-protection tools. There are also other apps, both free and for sale, that monitor and limit screen time. You can browse your device’s app store to see and compare options.

While these tools provide parents with some level of control, keep in mind that children have regular access to screens. They may use devices at school, friends’ houses, or in public settings. That’s why it’s important to talk to your child directly about safety and health concerns.

Should your child wear blue-light glasses during screen time?

Some experts recommend the use of special glasses that are designed to block blue light when looking at screens. However, more research is needed to understand how well the glasses work.

Blue light emits from electronics and other sources, like certain light bulbs. Light in general, and blue light especially, influences the human sleep cycle. When it’s dark, the body produces melatonin, which helps people sleep. Since people often use devices into the night, the light may interrupt this natural process.

This means that using devices close to bedtime could interfere with the time it takes to fall asleep and quality of sleep. Though, more research is needed to understand the effects of blue light on children’s sleep habits.

If you’re not sure if blue-light glasses are a good fit for your child, talk to their healthcare provider for recommendations.

The bottom line

Screens are a reality of modern life. But, when children spend an excessive amount of time on devices, they may experience negative consequences.

Too much time spent in front of screens may affect development for younger children. And children and teens of any age who frequently use electronic devices may be at higher risk for unhealthy food habits and depression.

To minimize the negative effects of screen time, work with your child to limit the use of devices, which includes modeling healthy behaviors.

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Written by:

Jennie Bedsworth, LCSW

Jennie Bedsworth, MSW, LCSW, is a social worker and therapist with 20 years of experience in journalism, teaching, and mental health. Prior to getting her master's, she wrote for The Furrow and was editor of Missouri Ruralist magazine.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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